"The state with the prettiest name, the state that floats in brackish water, held together by mangrove roots..."
Have you read any Anna Akhmatova? I'm thinking specifically of the Epilogue to Requiem written at the height of Stalinist terror:
"...I have woven for them a great shroud Out of the poor words I overheard them speak. I remember them always and everywhere, And if they shut my tormented mouth Through which a hundred million of my people cry, Let them remember me also..."
I haven't read any of her work, no - I'm sure there's some in the National Library. It reminds me a little of H.D. as well - do you know her? - I've been re-reading her novels in various breaks from my current chapter this week.
Oh, things are well enough, thank you. Just library-induced melancholy, and perhaps too little recent conversation. I've just handed in a big pile of things, but have more stacked up demanding attention, so poetry is a briefer respite than more substantial prose! I've found some beautiful ones recently on this site; I think you'd like it too - http://www.greatworks.org.uk/
(Off subject.) Do you know anything about Ella Young? I've just received a post about her from treadwells - see their lj or my friends page - thought she might be of interest to you ...
I think I've seen a few references to her in Yeats' collected letters, but I could also have her confused with Ella Carmichael Watson (daughter of the Gaelic folklore collector Alexander, and some-time poster-girl for the Revivalists). It sounds a fascinating talk, I'm sorry I can't attend!
On a similar scale, have you come across Michael Field's work? The literary entity of Michael Field was two women, an aunt and niece possibly-couple, who were on the fringes of the Golden Dawn and also published several volumes of Sappho-inspired poems and translations. They also wrote plays, one of which was another of the Renaissance portrayals of Deirdre (the subject of my thesis, if I hadn't mentioned this already).
Similarly, it's a dimly familiar name. Scary the way these probably interesting people jostle in the shadows. You hadn't actually mentioned Deirdre: perhaps the thesis will eventually get circulated among your pals?
Ah, well Deidre is what I've been working on for three years or so - the linguistic and literary origins of the Early and Early Modern Irish tale. I have no idea what sort of circulation it will get - it won't exactly be a popular examination! I'm giving a few papers this summer, one of them at the Glasgow meeting of the Society for Nineteenth Century Ireland - it's not really my field, being too late generally, but the Renaissance renditions of the Deirdre tale have had quite a lot of influence on critical opinions concerning her, so I'm arguing all sorts of things about critical thinking having been diverted by her popular status.
I've been reading about Ella Young on wikipedia, to start - thanks for the reference.
I am well, thank you, recovering from a cold & from writing too many essays for too many deadlines. I have an exam in a week's time. I am always ambivalent about exams: I know I won't do my best in them, especially as it's unseen & we have to write 3 essays in 2 hours! But at the same time I don't think I'll fail. We'll have to see.
I love your journal & am always pleased & surprised when you comment on mine. I'm trying to be less precious & self-involved at the moment. I have new passions, which helps. I hope the summer gives you unexpected happiness.
Thank you, on all counts. I'm glad you have new things to encourage positivity, especially around exam time. I've been woefully absent from anything un-thesis related lately, since I have no students to worry about at the moment, and no classes, so I haven't had much social contact of any sort, for almost a month. I've been meaning to post some journal entries written when I was in Yorkshire a few weeks ago, but haven't found the chance as yet - normal service resumed shortly! xxx
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"The state with the prettiest name,
the state that floats in brackish water,
held together by mangrove roots..."
Have you read any Anna Akhmatova? I'm thinking specifically of the Epilogue to Requiem written at the height of Stalinist terror:
"...I have woven for them a great shroud
Out of the poor words I overheard them speak.
I remember them always and everywhere,
And if they shut my tormented mouth
Through which a hundred million of my people cry,
Let them remember me also..."
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http://www.greatworks.org.uk/
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On a similar scale, have you come across Michael Field's work? The literary entity of Michael Field was two women, an aunt and niece possibly-couple, who were on the fringes of the Golden Dawn and also published several volumes of Sappho-inspired poems and translations. They also wrote plays, one of which was another of the Renaissance portrayals of Deirdre (the subject of my thesis, if I hadn't mentioned this already).
Reply
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I've been reading about Ella Young on wikipedia, to start - thanks for the reference.
Reply
I am well, thank you, recovering from a cold & from writing too many essays for too many deadlines. I have an exam in a week's time. I am always ambivalent about exams: I know I won't do my best in them, especially as it's unseen & we have to write 3 essays in 2 hours! But at the same time I don't think I'll fail. We'll have to see.
I love your journal & am always pleased & surprised when you comment on mine. I'm trying to be less precious & self-involved at the moment. I have new passions, which helps. I hope the summer gives you unexpected happiness.
xxx
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