Goblin Fruit Summer 2009

[seajules]

Imma attempt to do this in a vaguely coherent fashion. I make no promises.

One of the things I love about Goblin Fruit is that there always seems to be a theme, but it's not a theme as easily identified as, say, "poems about water sprites" or "illusions." Appropriately, it tends to feel more like a gourmet meal, each poem a flavor in a given

Comments

[tithenai]

Jules, you've made me teary. Thank you so much for this -- I think it's quite probably the most thorough and insightful review we've ever had. I'll be linking to it shortly.

Thank you, too, for pointing out a couple of snags -- in spite of the fun, launching from Readercon has some significant disadvantages, one of which was any attempt at up or downloading or saving file changes, because the so-called internet was appalling. We have a proper Note up now, as well as audio files for all Nicole's poems and Shweta's "Apsara." I'll fix the Urashima soundfile as soon as I get home, because to hear asakiyume reading it is pure delight.

Thank you again for this.

[seajules]

I've been meaning to do this kind of thing for ages, but first I was procrastinatory, and then it felt odd to do it to issues in which I had work, and then I was procrastinatory again. Then I gave myself a stern talking-to, and decided that if I was going to continue to Read poetry as others Read Tarot, I should perhaps share (also, I am testy about the ongoing assertion in Some Quarters that poetry is so very hard to review, and that a review of a work that includes both poetry and prose is in any way adequate when it only tackles the prose, so this was done very much in the spirit of Told Them).

But anyway, enough of my sea urchiny prickliness. You and Jess give me such a lovely present every quarter-year, I wanted to give a little something in return. Also, I hear it is wise to remain on the good side of Goblin Monarchs, and the proof of it is that I have a reading in my inbox before it goes up on the site. Haha, she cried victoriously!

[asakiyume]

^_^

I didn't know this was up yet!

Goblin Fruit is always so delectable. To have a poem here is a dream come true!

Samuel Noah Kramer whom you mention? Grandfather (or great-grandfather, I forget which) of my sister's childhood best friend :-)

[tithenai]

WHAT?! FOR REAL? I love his History Begins at Sumer!! *flails*

[asakiyume]

Yes for real :D Grandfather, come to think of it, not great-grandfather. I bet she (my sister's friend) would be tickled by your response--I'll have to tell her.

[seajules]

The Goblin Queens can be most sneaksome when they wish, so it appears this issue went up amid whisperings and scuttles (or, y'know, the iffy 'net connection at Readercon). Your poem is a delight, and I hope it's only the first of many to grace the Goblin banquet table.

That is very awesome about Samuel Noah Kramer. I'm sure I'd heard the name before reading this poem, but I don't know what of his I've read, if anything.

[wirewalking]

Oh, wow. What a lovely thing to be pointed to first thing in the morning -- and a dreary-weathered, relatively harrowing morning at that, during which the child decided to crawl out of bed in his sleep, fall about four feet onto his face on the hardwood floor. Day's looking brighter already. Thank you!

Hi, by the way! I'm Nicole. Friending you, if you don't mind.

[seajules]

Oh, goodness, I hope the child is all right! Sounds like his mother got her heart jump-started for certain sure. *G*

The lovely thing was being able to gobble up all this poetry over the past few nights, and I'm glad you friended me, since I meant to friend you as soon as I found your journal. Welcome! My usual material is more along the lines of errand-running and food-chomping in Southern California, and sometimes I inflict very drafty poetry on the unsuspecting. I beg your forebearance in advance.

[wirewalking]

and sometimes I inflict very drafty poetry on the unsuspecting

Ha! I have seen your poetry. You don't scare me! Bring it on!

[seajules]

Yes, but you've seen it post-op. On the table, it ain't pretty.

[mer_moon]

Awwwwwwwww, Jules! This is so very excellent. THANK YOU, especially for the care you spent on the Feature. Wah! *flail* I have love for thee!

[seajules]

As I said to Amal, I've meant to do this for ages, so it's about time I did. That Feature is a wonder. I had to talk about the effect. Also, I am now more determined than ever that we must manage a West Coast Goblin Fruit reading. I shall poke around and see what our con options are, or if a separate event would be better. Then I can write that up too. *G*

[hooks_and_books]

First off, this is SO AWESOME!!! Very solid, very nicely done

[seajules]

Hmm. My trouble with your explanation is that, if the intent is ekphrastic, then the poem shouldn't be in the dancer's viewpoint. By taking on that viewpoint, you take on the responsibility of representing the internal landscape of the dancer, and thus the external, visual focus doesn't work. Were the poem from the viewpoint of the audience, the drummer, or even the drum, the imagery would be more in keeping with that viewpoint.

[hooks_and_books]

I'm not sure that I agree with you, but then again, I'm not a dancer. For me, the poem is about the relationships and the external displayed in the piece, as opposed to the other ACEOs in the series, which focus on the dancer herself and thus the internal.

That being said, I appreciate your comments and your thoughts, and actually am trying to get in contact with some local belly dancers to understand said internal landscape for the other ACEOs. I'll let you know what comes of it!

[seajules]

Yeah, I think the fact that I am a dancer, though a very, very novice one, is definitely an influence on how I read the piece. It's useful to hear how you intended it, though, and hey, you've planted the seed of an idea of writing a poem based on my experiences dancing, so I definitely thank you for that! I also look forward to seeing the results of talking to other dancers; we are, after all, all individuals who process things differently.