tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post5707471124414843027..comments2024-03-23T20:37:37.891-07:00Comments on First Known When Lost: MomentsStephen Pentzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-4950989394317637502015-04-21T17:02:49.082-07:002015-04-21T17:02:49.082-07:00Mr Ashton: I completely agree with you about Berna...Mr Ashton: I completely agree with you about Bernard Spencer. I first posted some of his poems back in May of 2010, just after starting the blog, and I identified him then as a "neglected poet." But, fortunately, he has received greater attention since that time. As you probably know, the Bloodaxe Books edition of his Complete Poetry (which I cited in my post) was published in 2011 and was well-received. So perhaps more people are coming around to his poetry.<br /><br />I, like you, have wondered why he has not received more recognition over the years. I think his diffident personality, together with him being overseas during nearly all of his writing life, has something to do with it. But then, if he had remained in England, we wouldn't have all those wonderful poems!<br /><br />(An aside: Bloodaxe Books deserves our appreciation for bringing Spencer back into print, and, in addition, for bringing A. S. J. Tessimond back into print in 2010. I have posted a number of Tessimond's poems here.)<br /><br />But you never know about posterity and poetic reputations, do you? I may not be around to see it, but I have a hunch that the reputations of both Spencer and Tessimond will continue to grow in future years. In the meantime, as long as a few devoted readers keep them alive, all is well.<br /><br />I agree with you about the last line of "On the Road": "It is a lot to say, nothing was lacking" is wonderful, and wonderfully true.<br /><br />Thank you very much for visiting again. It is always good to hear your thoughts.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-75568046906593945012015-04-21T16:47:05.555-07:002015-04-21T16:47:05.555-07:00midi: Thank you very much for your kind words. I&...midi: Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm delighted that you like "On the Road." If you aren't already familiar with Spencer's poetry, I urge you to track it down: I have a sense that you will like it a great deal. Fortunately, the Complete Poetry edition that I cited in the post is readily available, since it was published fairly recently.<br /><br />As always, it is a pleasure to hear from you. I hope that all is well. Please visit again soon.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-62950890911375343382015-04-21T16:39:16.813-07:002015-04-21T16:39:16.813-07:00betsy: Hah! Wonderful quote. I hadn't come a...betsy: Hah! Wonderful quote. I hadn't come across that before. Thank you very much for sharing it.<br /><br />I am reminded of a poem by A. S. J. Tessimond (who in fact worked in advertising in England for a while). Here are the final four lines of "Advertising":<br /><br />I am the voice that bids you spend to save and save to spend,<br />But always spend that wheels may never end<br />Their turning and by turning let you spend to save<br />And save to spend, world without end, cradle to grave.<br /><br />He also wrote a poem titled "Defence of the Ad-man" that covers similar ground. It begins: "He brings us aims and dreams and drugs, he tells/Us fairy-tales that half come true or might."<br /><br />It is good to hear from you again. I appreciate your stopping by.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-71785727454382664062015-04-21T10:02:42.801-07:002015-04-21T10:02:42.801-07:00Mr Pentz, thank you for posting some of Bernard Sp...Mr Pentz, thank you for posting some of Bernard Spencer's poems here. He is one of the most dreadfully neglected British poets of the last century,I cannot think why,he was such a wonderful writer. He should be better known. The Boats is a favourite of mine, another is, Allotments, I'm sure you know it. The second verse of On The Road is indeed beautiful. These lines are so evocative; <br /><br />"It is a lot to say, nothing was lacking; river, sun and leaves, and I am making words to say 'grapes' and 'her skin."<br /><br />It is such moments,these glimpses that fix in our mind so deeply. As you say they are the simplest, unsought moments. John Ashtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-21874199750144384502015-04-21T08:26:18.319-07:002015-04-21T08:26:18.319-07:00Fortunate and blessed I have been, and doubly so n...Fortunate and blessed I have been, and doubly so now, to receive this introduction to 'On the Road' during such"observations of a sensitive man thinking to himself; someone who has lived, and who now finds himself considering where his life has led him, and what he has learned."<br />Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your love of Spencer and your own learning.<br />love<br />midi Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-38913265287201449502015-04-20T23:52:16.029-07:002015-04-20T23:52:16.029-07:00I think it was P.G. Wodehouse who wrote"These...I think it was P.G. Wodehouse who wrote"These were no ordinary criminals. These were advertising men".betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777978398680764604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-11123372034161759402015-04-20T19:41:19.101-07:002015-04-20T19:41:19.101-07:00RT: Thank you very much for stopping by again, and...RT: Thank you very much for stopping by again, and for sharing your thoughts on poets and poetry. I think that one of the purposes of poetry (or of any art) is to help us come to grips with the World -- to "examine our preoccupations," as you say (although I may be misinterpreting you). But "come to grips" is perhaps too harsh a term; "accept the World" is a better way of putting it. Thus, all conflict vanishes.<br /><br />By the way, I should have made clear that I do not claim to be free of hedonism. I am not that strong. This is where poetry helps.<br /><br />Thank you again. I always appreciate hearing from you.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-60463266245681113042015-04-20T15:12:26.186-07:002015-04-20T15:12:26.186-07:00Again, thank you for sharing the poems and images....Again, thank you for sharing the poems and images. As for moments and hedonism, I think poets understand more than others that we are creatures preoccupied by conflict between sensory observations and mental considerations of those observations; hence, each person's life is a long series of connected moments and conflict. Poetry lets us examine our preoccupations.R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13220814349193561823noreply@blogger.com