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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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EDITORIAL
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Just a Derm Minute: Poetry is fun, or Frazee with rhyme and reason
• by John W. Dermody
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Have you read any good books lately?
I have: "Plum Island," by Nelson DeMille, and a couple of westerns by Elmer Kelton. In other words, I lean toward fiction, usually a mystery and some type of adventurous yarn.
A couple of my favorite authors are Robert B. Parker and Dennis Lehane, both whom set many of their books in Boston. And then you can include Elmore Leonard and David Baldacci.
I probably should read more non-fiction such as history or natural science, politics or astronomy. Those are subjects I'm interested in, but it takes longer to plow through such serious subjects.
Besides, we get serious material in our newspapers each day, maybe too much when it comes to the political scene.
Mysteries, thrillers and other escapist fare are fun to read and they can be finished quickly, relatively speaking. "Plum Island" took me a few days, but it was worth every minute. I've read other DeMille stories and they've all been extremely entertaining - the proverbial "page-turners."
It's been a few months since I read a volume of history, but those books are valuable for anyone interested in this country or, for that matter, this area with such an intriguing heritage.
It is enlightening to get an understanding of how regions developed and populations moved, laying the groundwork for generations to come.
History: A subject useful to everyone
I find American history exciting because it also gives me a greater appreciation for writers like Kelton, a former Texas newspaper editor, the late Louis L'Amour and others who are able to realistically present their stories. They are not fantasy or "romance" writers who paint unrealistic situations. Sure, there are heroes and villains, but there is much more in their books.
It is fun to read a breezy tale that relies on humor, a fast-paced plot and scintillating dialogue, but men like DeMille and Kelton, to name just two, prepare with a tremendous amount of research.
The task of reading a book like "Plum Island," which contains 500 pages, might appear daunting. But if you read everything in a Sunday newspaper (even if you get to the features Tuesday or Thursday), you have devoured at least the number of words equal to the average novel.
On occasion, I forget to go to the books section of the weekend paper. Why, I don't know, because I like to see which authors are being hailed for good work. And usually, there are lists of best-sellers nationally and for the region. There are always little tidbits that have little to do with anything, but maybe my thinking just doesn't mesh with more esoteric, sophisticated minds.
I guess I'll just have to live with that.
Rose are red, leaves are green
A few days ago, I read about a program that has sprung up - "carved its niche" would be a better term - in St. Paul. It involves poetry, which sometimes seems to be the curse of junior high and high school students.
It seems that someone in the capital city has come up with the idea of putting poetry into newly-poured cement sidewalks. Well, that surely beats having some bumpkin walk through carefully-smoothed surfaces while wearing hiking boots.
Apparently, these areas are relatively small, such as a square or two of a sidewalk that has been tabbed for repairs. All different forms of poetry are being used, even free verse and other types that don't rhyme. (Oh my goodness!)
There are couplets, quatrains, sonnets and I suppose limericks. The works selected came from auditions and so far 20 have been inscribed. It doesn't say in the piece I read whether they are there for eternity...or if someone will dig up a square of concrete and replace it at a later time.
I would hate to try to frame a 14-line sonnet for my living room wall.
Before you think that the poems were scratched or gouged with an old spoon or written in something resembling hieroglyphics...no, they weren't. They were nicely lettered, then pressed into the wet cement.
A gallery for walkers, visitors
Why can't we have that type of thing in Frazee?
No, not necessarily trying to duplicate the works of the literati, but why not just some nice statements near businesses, schools or playgrounds?
A business wouldn't be required to host a poem. But, if the owner/manager did like the idea, he or she could select the form and write it. Or ask someone to take a "concrete" approach to the plan (pun intended).
For example, at the corner of East Main and 2nd Street, you might find this couplet:
Miss your dough? It's right here, thanks;
It's 'United' with your neighbors - at UC Bank.
Down the avenue where many gather each morning for coffee, the Frazee Bakery and Ice Creamery could provide this public service reminder:
An emergency call! Go ahead phone it,
The cops are here, picking up donuts.
There are lots of concerns that touch upon city government. Questions are called in each day to 334-4991. But if a section of sidewalk became chipped, how about implanting this four-line suggestion near City Hall:
Got a question or complaint?
About a road, maybe a hill?
If you want to build, maybe paint,
Get a permit, or pay a water bill?
A new 'written in stone' concept
Since education is intimately connected with poetry, although maybe not in a manner quite this "simplistic," the school district could be home to more than one poem. Why? Because there is usually some type of construction/repair almost every year in multiple locations.
In St. Paul, numerous individuals auditioned to get their poetry reproduced. Something similar could perhaps involve Frazee-Vergas students in a competitive event.
In lieu of any such episode at this time, maybe this limerick will inspire something better:
We do not boast, we do not jest
We don't look down upon the rest;
We are not mean,
We're the mighty 'Green'
Hornets are the very best!
Over hundreds of years, individuals have spoken about "literature for the ages." Wouldn't "hard copies" of poetry having local ties be appropriate?
Of course, accurate proofreading would be imperative. Erasing mistakes would be quite a difficult task.
About John . . .
A freelance writer and photographer, John Dermody has been a resident of Frazee for more than 20 years. His interests include books, politics, education, music, sports and working to improve the community.
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