Poetry Day

[Therese Fitzpatrick]

Ralph. in response to your barmaid poem, let me first affirm your
absolute right to share misygynistic poetry that reduces a female
barstaffperson to sexist stereotyping.

And second, I need to voice that I am disgusted that such denigrating
stereotyping is considered in any way acceptable on a list serv
devoted to professional development, at least in part.

Imagine a poem about a tattoo a man's penis warning wouldbe partners
of the price of a bar. . . it is deeply offensive to me to read about
the price of beer being tattoo's on a woman's body.

On 4/22/05, Ralph Copleman <rcopleman at comcast.net> wrote:
> Raffi and all,
>
> Well, Raffi, you had quite a workout with your excerpt from the Tao.
> Congratulations on moving the system (and opening some very cool spaces)
> with poetry.
>
> You asked where the idea came from, or if I invented it.
>
> It's not my invention.  I saw an advertisement in the New York Times
> proclaiming "Poem in Your Pocket Day" It suggested it would be a good idea
> to carry a poem in your pocket and read it to anyone and everyone all day
> long.  I thought this was a lovely idea, so I selected a poem called "The
> Metaphysicians of South Jersey" by Stephen Dunn, typed it up and prepared to
> read it at the drop of a hat, as we say, anytime Thursday.  (But the only
> time I left the house all day, I forgot to place the poem into my actual
> pocket.)
>
> There is nothing official about the idea, and as far as I know it is not on
> anyone's list of "international" days or celebrations, thought I believe it
> should be, certainly.  I think some publisher must have cooked it up.  I
> like the idea a lot.  I've been known to read poems at odd public moments,
> so it fits well with my personality.
>
> I think, however, that my taste in poems may serve as much to close space as
> to open it, but that, as someone once said, is another story.
>
> In closing, let us not maqke the assumption that poetry we read (or write)
> must be pregnant with great significance or philosophy.  For example, one of
> my all-time favorite poems (by an unknown but brilliant author) is this:
>
> Upon the breasts of a barmaid from Vail
> Was tattooed the price of pale ale.
> And upon her behind,
> For the sake of the blind,
> Was the same information in Braille.
>
> (Shakespeare, eat your heart out.)
>
> Ralph Copleman
>
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--
Warmly,
Therese Fitzpatrick

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