posted
There's a poem that talks about a guy who never smoked, never drank, never did anything "fun", and at his funeral, it was decided that since he'd never lived, he couldn't really be said to have died.
posted
Sounds like a folk poem I've heard. Likely it is a traditional poem from America, mid 19th century, maybe near the realist movement. I would bet that there are a number of variations and probably you'll get multiple citiations
The moral lesson smacks of Thoreau, but the anti-puritan attitude does not. I might say Dickinson, or maybe Crane, who is especially fond of these very ethereal "it was decided" kind of interactions. Good luck, I'll think on it.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by AutumnWind: Hey Lisa, this is what I found A Vital Statistic
Very cool! I'll pass it on and see if that's the one.
Edit: That was it! I just showed it to Havah and she screamed. She heard that back in 4th or 5th grade, and she's been trying to find it for decades. Thank you so much. And big thanks from her as well.
quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese: Lisa, the only thing remotely similar to your poem that I can come up with is Richard Cory, but from your description, that isn't it.
I'm obviously an illiterate, because I had no idea Richard Cory was a poem. I thought it was just Richard Cory, the Simon and Garfunkel song.
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posted
There is a moving, modern poem expressing the same sentement by my wife's favorite poet Carol Lynn Pearson Millie's Mother's Red Dress It is not strophic so it's hard to memorize. But, I read it from time to time, just to remember.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I already love this thread. I had never read "Curiosity"--thanks for sharing it.
The first poem that popped into my mind when I read your question, Lisa, was "Lucinda Matlock" from Masters's Spoon River Anthology. I knew it couldn't be right, but seemed to express a similar idea.
quote:Edit: That was it! I just showed it to Havah and she screamed. She heard that back in 4th or 5th grade, and she's been trying to find it for decades. Thank you so much. And big thanks from her as well.
posted
I'm personally partial to kissing maids, but I've know a few Roman Catholic priests who have never done so. And they are perfectly happy, fulfilled people.
Of course, they also romp and play.
Posts: 14554 | Registered: Dec 1999
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quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese: Lisa, the only thing remotely similar to your poem that I can come up with is Richard Cory, but from your description, that isn't it.
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