I received Mr. Parnassus' comments by snail-mail late this afternoon. You can read them in the six threads showing Richard Wilbur as the "Topic Starter."

In his letter, Mr. Wilbur said he "enjoyed doing this assignment" and that "the quality of the sonnets was quite high."

Oh, and Mike, he also added:

"I much like 'The Sirens Answer,' though slightly troubled by having to say 'suttle-er' in line 11."

He spelled out "Maryland" on the envelope. I love that; it's just so classy and Richard Wilbur-ish.

[edited for excessive silliness]


[This message has been edited by Rose Kelleher (edited May 12, 2008).]

I think now's a good time to make sure that the many tasks Rose has performed for this year's Bake-Off aren't thankless ones.

Rose, thank you so very much for sorting through seventy-five sonnets, wrestling with the selection, making the picks, doing all the printing and sending, keeping the dialog on the threads going, and now transcribing the responses. Phew. It seems like a huge investment of time and energy, and you've handled yourself with class throughout.

Nice job, dude.

Of course she did. It's Rose.

Thank you Rose. Devotion beyond the call of duty.
Janet

Perhaps with even more reason than most, I am thankful to you, Rose. You made it happen.

Wiley

Rose,

Thanks for all your trouble. And please give our thanks and best regards to Mr. Wilbur if you get the chance. I enjoyed reading his comments.

Anne

From me too, Rose, many thanks for all the work you have put into reading and selecting and not least for a least a luagh a day when you wittily (though eruditely) presented your choice(s).

A big hand for a peerless, fearless judge.

Thanks, Rose. It has been a fascinating bake-off, as usual, and has generated lots of debate.

Susan

Rose,

Thanks for your hard hard work. It was a fun bake-off.

David R.

Hear, hear. I'm catching up late and finding so many fascinating reactions. Thanks, Rose, for all your hard work.

Thank you, Rose, for this interesting bake-off!!

After last year, I know how difficult yet rewarding a task the sonnet selection can be. Thank you, Rose, for your patience and effort. Well done!

Alan

Rose,

This was my first bake-off and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank you very much for all your hard work. I know you said, pbbbbt! when you saw my entry but I promise I'll try harder next time!

Best, Roy

Thanks, Rose. I needed the vacation. As I told you last night, the last three have been the best of seven: Mike Stocks', Alan's, and yours.

Thank you, Rose, for your tireless time and attention to the task. Each sonnet, and each sonnet's comments and crits, capped off by Mr. Wilbur's thoughts, were an education for me.

We appreciate your time and efforts in making this a great experience.

David

Wonderful job, Rose!
And what tremendous poems!

It's been a busy couple weeks for me, so even though I didn't comment (or feel comfortable voting), I read every single word, enjoyed immensely, and learned a bunch.

Many many thanks to Rose!
And all the poets as well!

---Pua

Rose, Rose, Rose!

Bless you! Taste, talent and tenacity--you have them all.


Best
Lance Levens

'Rose, Rose, go garlanded'
(Buggered if I can remember the rest of that poem, or who wrote it.)
I thought you did really well, Rose. It was a fascinating and varied selection introduced with your characteristic verve, and you were a model of restraint throughout.
Best,
David

Like Pua said.

Duncan

Many thanks to Mr.Wilbur for commenting on the poems--it was an honour and a pleasure to see him here.
And many thanks to Rose for performing such a daunting task so brilliantly.

Regards, Maz

A thankless (though not exactly in this case) task, well done!

It was very nice of Dick Wilbur, but I'm willing to bet he really enjoyed it.

This Bake-off certainly Rose to the occasion. And it's always a real pleasure to see Richard posting here. Thanks to both of you.

John

Wonderful event, Rose, and well-run ... an unqualified success!

...Alex