Well, some random thoughts from the old gas-bag himself:
I suppose we could all agree that the piece is not
quite up to the standard of say, "The Shield of
Achilles" ?
Auden's later life WAS sad, and there was a decided
falling off, but before we start seeing him as a sodden
fellow sliding into "old age," perhaps we should remember
that he died at 65 or 66! I'm 52 right now, but I sure
don't plan on ending up with a face like a walnut's shell
in the next 14 years.
Totally off the wall (and not really relevant here
in a Mastery thread), how about over on the "Discerning
Eye" or in "General Talk" we start a survey: nominations
for the most pretentious poet now alive and writing in
English? I'd be happy to get things started by offering
up Jorie Graham and Anne Carson. Any takers?
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