Mythic Delirium (#20)

[talkstowolves]

Although the tenth anniversary edition is the first Mythic Delirium volume I've ever read, I've long been aware of the publication by reputation: many poems have appeared in Mythic Delirium (or related titles edited also by Mike Allen) that have later been nominated for the SFWA's Rhysling Awards or been honored in The Year's Best Fantasy and

Comments

[ajodasso]

I agree with you especially on two points: one, that the illustrations are just delightful, and two, Neil's poem is not, by far, the finest piece in the collection (I'll ever and always be a fan of Neil's "Instructions," when it comes to his occasional poetry). I hope that others who bought this issue mostly on the basis of Neil's inclusion will be as pleased with the rest of the contents as you are. Thanks for a lovely review :)

[talkstowolves]

You're welcome! (Would you like my notes on "Journeying"?)

[ajodasso]

:)

(You made notes? If you wouldn't mind sharing them, sure, I'd love to see them. In return, if there are any questions you have about the piece - aspects that confused you, intrigued you, etc. - I'd be glad to answer them insofar as I'm able! I know that the interpretation of poetry, to some people, is an intensely personal experience and they'd really rather have the writer's explications left out of it ;)

[talkstowolves]

I apologize for the delay in commenting back to you-- as a writer, I appreciate that was potentially cruel (though definitely unintentionally so)! I offer cyber-tea-and-biscuits as a placatory gesture. :)

"Journeying" didn't fully have me until the end-- I thought that it was well-worded, seductively descriptive, and perhaps based on an older tale. But I remained untouched until the tableau at the close, with the two boys holding each other fading out in the echoes of a song. That lingered with me, inspiring me to remember "Journeying" as a fine and effective poem.