Lariat Board
My dear friends, we are gathering here to discuss the Sphere and our development as writers within this institution. The last event I hosted featured Maryann, Wendy, and Marion, so I am giving the men equal time. I sometimes joke that when Keats reached my age he’d been dead for thirty years. But I say in deadly earnest to some of our young writers, Chris Childers, Aaron Poochigian, Danny Haar, that if the internet and the Sphere had existed when I was a boy, I would be far more advanced in the craft than I am. Here are my initial questions for the three of you.
John, I was recruited to the Sphere by Alan who said I had to read your wolves poem. We both felt the draft was a metrical disaster, but that there was a great underlying musicality and precision to the language. I then posted a disquisition on my goofy theories on meter, of which Tim Steele said "You should confine yourself to writing in rather than on meter.” Of course it was written expressly for you, and I have rarely seen a metrical mistake since. You have become an authoritative moderator, and I would like you to reflect on your experiences here.
Roger, after Alan convened the Deep End, I criticized you for my own sin, confessional navel gazing. But after I persuaded Mike Juster to return and start the Translation Board, you started putting up fabulous translations from the Spanish. Then after your baby was born, you started posting these terrific children’s poems. Please tell us about your experience at the Sphere and your evolution as a writer.
Jaime, you are kind of a mad genius around here. I suspect that you and Carol and Mike were the founding members of the Sphere. You have your collection coming out shortly, which is cause for celebration from all of us who have corrected its punctuation and laughed ourselves senseless over some of your funniest poems. What have you learned from the Sphere?
I want to encourage all Spherians to join in this discussion.
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