Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
[...]
Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
For O! it is not always May!
[...]
https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html

On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>
> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> [...]
> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> For O! it is not always May!
> [...]
> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html

Okay, this is interesting, even such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to be general public of modern times?

On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>
>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
>> [...]
>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
>> For O! it is not always May!
>> [...]
>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html

Okay, this is interesting, even such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to be general public of modern times?

And what a surprise, Nancy Gene is reading these posts.

🙂

On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>
>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
>> [...]
>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
>> For O! it is not always May!
>> [...]
>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
>
> Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?

I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
difficulty understanding it.

I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
I could state you only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
It was [something, something] in '75;
Hardly a man is still alive
Who remembers that famous day and year."

Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
(1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.

On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
> > On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >>
> >> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> >> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> >> [...]
> >> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> >> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> >> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> >> For O! it is not always May!
> >> [...]
> >> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
> >
> > Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?
>
> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
> difficulty understanding it.
>
> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
> I could state you only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:
>
> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
> It was [something, something] in '75;
> Hardly a man is still alive
> Who remembers that famous day and year."
>
> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.

Interestingly, my mother could recite the Paul Revere poem, and several others, and when, as a child, I became interested to Revolutionary War lore, she recited the poem for me.

On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
> > On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >>
> >> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> >> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> >> [...]
> >> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> >> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> >> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> >> For O! it is not always May!
> >> [...]
> >> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
> >
> > Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?
>
> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
> difficulty understanding it.

Your edit does nothing to clarify its meaning.

It is painfully obvious that the Donkey wishes to pretend that anyone who is not a current household name is "obscure."

Anyone who's played Author Cards as a child (or as an adult with children) is familiar with Longfellow's name. Those with any interest in literature will seek out his works.

> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
> I could state you only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:
>
> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
> It was [something, something] in '75;
> Hardly a man is still alive
> Who remembers that famous day and year."
>
> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.

And excellent point (and attempted deflection of the Donkey's dumbassery).

I believe it is the duty of an editor to ensure that his anthology accurately reflects the poetry of the literary movements/historical eras his anthology is covering.

Michael Pendragon
"My frineds never heard of you...."
-- George "Stink" Sulzbach, Dharma Pissbum, esq.

Yes, not known to the general public = obscure.

HTH and HAND.

On 2022-05-30 8:29 p.m., Michael Pendragon wrote:
> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
>>> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
>>>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
>>>> [...]
>>>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
>>>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
>>>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
>>>> For O! it is not always May!
>>>> [...]
>>>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
>>>
>>> Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?
>>
>> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
>> difficulty understanding it.
>
> Your edit does nothing to clarify its meaning.

No, the meaning was always perfectly clear; but a fool in another thread
was saying they couldn't understand it, for no

> It is painfully obvious that the Donkey wishes to pretend that anyone who is not a current household name is "obscure."

Don't be such a Monkey. Will called Longfellow a "famous poet". How you
got "obscure" out of "famous" is your business, but it certainly isn't
what he said.

> Anyone who's played Author Cards as a child (or as an adult with children) is familiar with Longfellow's name.

Great. So you refuted a strawman: the idea that Longfellow's name is
"obscure".

> Those with any interest in literature will seek out his works.

Maybe some will. For those that do, there are four good poems on PPB.

>> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
>> I could state only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
>> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:
>>
>> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
>> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
>> It was [something, something] in '75;
>> Hardly a man is still alive
>> Who remembers that famous day and year."
>>
>> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
>> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
>> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
>> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
>> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
>> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.
>
> And excellent point

> (and attempted deflection of the Donkey's dumbassery).

Sorry, Michael, but I was addressing Will's question: "How well known is
[Longfellow's] poetry?". For you to call that a "deflection" just sounds
like you're trying to sling shit at everyone in the discussion.

> I believe it is the duty of an editor to ensure that his anthology accurately reflects the poetry of the literary movements/historical eras his anthology is covering.

Good for you. But "accurately reflects the poetry" is vague enough to
mean almost anything.

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:43:23 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> On 2022-05-30 8:29 p.m., Michael Pendragon wrote:
> > On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
> >>> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> >>>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> >>>> [...]
> >>>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> >>>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> >>>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> >>>> For O! it is not always May!
> >>>> [...]
> >>>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
> >>>
> >>> Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?
> >>
> >> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
> >> difficulty understanding it.
> >
> > Your edit does nothing to clarify its meaning.
> No, the meaning was always perfectly clear; but a fool in another thread
> was saying they couldn't understand it, for no

That isn't true, George. NancyGene was pointing out the Donkey's inability to compose a grammatically correct sentence.

> > It is painfully obvious that the Donkey wishes to pretend that anyone who is not a current household name is "obscure."
> Don't be such a Monkey. Will called Longfellow a "famous poet". How you
> got "obscure" out of "famous" is your business, but it certainly isn't
> what he said.

You're playing stupid again, George.

The Donkey responded to a half-dozen of your PPB threads last night, thanking you for bringing the work of "obscure" poets to light.

If you've been following the drama at AAPC for the past few weeks, you'd know that the Donkey has been on a mission to prove that he didn't misuse "obscure" when referring to Sara Teasdale and Christina Rossetti.

At this point, it's become another troll, whereby he can imply that a poet as iconic as Longfellow is "obscure" by today's standards, in hope of getting a response.

> > Anyone who's played Author Cards as a child (or as an adult with children) is familiar with Longfellow's name.
> Great. So you refuted a strawman: the idea that Longfellow's name is
> "obscure".

Again, if you've been reading AAPC, you would know exactly what the Donkey had implied regarding Longfellow -- and why.

I enjoy discussing poetry with you, George, but when you play stupid like this, you're simply wasting both of our time.

> > Those with any interest in literature will seek out his works.
> Maybe some will. For those that do, there are four good poems on PPB.
>

When you throw in a self-promoting line like the above, you're practically trolling everyone here to accuse you of spamming the group.

> >> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
> >> I could state only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
> >> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:
> >>
> >> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
> >> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
> >> It was [something, something] in '75;
> >> Hardly a man is still alive
> >> Who remembers that famous day and year."
> >>
> >> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
> >> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
> >> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
> >> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
> >> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
> >> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.
> >
> > And excellent point
>
> > (and attempted deflection of the Donkey's dumbassery).
> Sorry, Michael, but I was addressing Will's question: "How well known is
> [Longfellow's] poetry?". For you to call that a "deflection" just sounds
> like you're trying to sling shit at everyone in the discussion.

We both know that Will's "question" was rhetorical and intended to be a troll. As to my supposed "shit slinging," Will's "question" betrays his "dumbassery" on two counts: 1) his unfamiliarity with one of the towering figures in 19th Century American literature, 2) his ignorance of the meaning of a common two-syllable word like "obscure," and 3) his stubborn inability to that he'd made a mistake.

Your support of him (above), coupled with the accusatory nature of your comments to (and regarding) me, give the impression that you're simply spoiling for a fight.

> > I believe it is the duty of an editor to ensure that his anthology accurately reflects the poetry of the literary movements/historical eras his anthology is covering.
> Good for you. But "accurately reflects the poetry" is vague enough to
> mean almost anything.

No, it isn't. Accurately means that the reflection should be true. IOW: An anthology of 19th Century poetry should include examples of each of the best known, most popular, and most influential poets of the time. Excluding a poet who was possibly the most popular poet of his time (and for a hundred years afterward) would destroy any validity such an anthology might hope to claim.

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:43:23 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> On 2022-05-30 8:29 p.m., Michael Pendragon wrote:
> > On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >> On 2022-05-29 2:09 p.m., Will Dockery wrote:
> >>> On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 12:06:30 PM UTC-4, george...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Today's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
> >>>> It Is Not Always May, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
> >>>> [...]
> >>>> Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
> >>>> Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
> >>>> Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
> >>>> For O! it is not always May!
> >>>> [...]
> >>>> https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2022/05/it-is-not-always-may-henry-wadsworth.html
> >>>
> >>> Okay, this is interesting[...] even [with] such a famous poet as Longfellow, how well known is his poetry to [the] general public of modern times?
> >>
> >> I edited your question, because some people on the group seemed to have
> >> difficulty understanding it.
> >
> > Your edit does nothing to clarify its meaning.
> No, the meaning was always perfectly clear; but a fool in another thread
> was saying they couldn't understand it, for no
> > It is painfully obvious that the Donkey wishes to pretend that anyone who is not a current household name is "obscure."
> Don't be such a Monkey. Will called Longfellow a "famous poet". How you
> got "obscure" out of "famous" is your business, but it certainly isn't
> what he said.
> > Anyone who's played Author Cards as a child (or as an adult with children) is familiar with Longfellow's name.
> Great. So you refuted a strawman: the idea that Longfellow's name is
> "obscure".
> > Those with any interest in literature will seek out his works.
> Maybe some will. For those that do, there are four good poems on PPB.
> >> I suspect the answer is very little. I know a few Longfellow poems, but
> >> I could state only a few lines from memory. "Footprints on the sands
> >> of time" from "Psalm of Life", and almost an entire stanza of Paul Revere:
> >>
> >> Listen, my children, and you shall hear
> >> Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
> >> It was [something, something] in '75;
> >> Hardly a man is still alive
> >> Who remembers that famous day and year."
> >>
> >> Even poetry students don't encounter his work: he's in none of the
> >> anthologies I own, for example. I suspect that's a style thing; he wrote
> >> (1) popular poems with easily-understood messages, in (2) formal verse,
> >> both of which went out of style over 100 years ago. Why today's
> >> academics are still using stylistic judgements from 100 years ago,
> >> rather than making their own, is more of a mystery.
> >
> > And excellent point
>
> > (and attempted deflection of the Donkey's dumbassery).
> Sorry, Michael, but I was addressing Will's question: "How well known is
> [Longfellow's] poetry?". For you to call that a "deflection" just sounds
> like you're trying to sling shit at everyone in the discussion.
> > I believe it is the duty of an editor to ensure that his anthology accurately reflects the poetry of the literary movements/historical eras his anthology is covering.
> Good for you. But "accurately reflects the poetry" is vague enough to
> mean almost anything.

Good morning, well put.

Again , not known to the general public = obscure.

HTH and HAND.

🙂

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:28:36 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> Again , not known to the general public = obscure.
>
> HTH and HAND.

No Donkey, it doesn't.

Post a dictionary source that supports your definition.

Michael Pendragon
"You never watched foreign movies and read the English subtitles..? ?
You read the film as you would, say, a comic book...."
-- George "Stink" Sulzbach, career pissbum

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 1:19:04 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:28:36 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> > Again , not known to the general public = obscure.
> >
> > HTH and HAND.
> No Donkey, it doesn't.

Yes it does, you shit slinging little monkey.

🙂

>
> Post a dictionary source that supports your definition.
>
> Michael Pendragon
> "You never watched foreign movies and read the English subtitles..? ?
> You read the film as you would, say, a comic book...."
> -- George "Stink" Sulzbach, career pissbum

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 1:21:59 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 1:19:04 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:28:36 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> > > Again , not known to the general public = obscure.
> > >
> > > HTH and HAND.
> > No Donkey, it doesn't.
> Yes it does, you shit slinging little monkey.

Post a link to a dictionary that defines it as such, you shit eating Donkey..

Michael Pendragon
"I don't pop pills unless there's no other alternative... being drug free for a few years now, you know."
-- Will Dockery, on being clean and sober… except when he isn't.

Will Dockery wrote:
>
> Yes, not known to the general public = obscure.

> HTH and HAND.

As most poetry is now to the general public in the modern age....

General-Zod wrote:

> Will Dockery wrote:
>>
>> Yes, not known to the general public = obscure.

>> HTH and HAND.

> As most poetry is now to the general public in the modern age....

Exactly, most poets are unknown in the modern age.

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 10:20:19 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> General-Zod wrote:
>
> > Will Dockery wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes, not known to the general public = obscure.
>
> >> HTH and HAND.
>
> > As most poetry is now to the general public in the modern age....
> Exactly, most poets are unknown in the modern age.

Wow... have you actually realized that there is a difference between "unknown" and "obscure"?

Unfortunately, you're still not getting it right. Most poets are not unknown in the modern age; they're unknown by the general public in the modern age.

They are well known if various literary circles.

Michael Pendragon
"Hard to miss that he generally considered you [Will Dockery] to be an illiterate oaf - indeed. It's was probably due to your constant display of... the opinions of a dishonest ignoramus who scribbles unspeakable shit."
-- Rafael Corazon

The average man on the street isn't in a "literary circle", and most poets would be relatively obscure to such a person.

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:12:13 PM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> The average man on the street isn't in a "literary circle", and most poets would be relatively obscure to such a person.

No... most poets would be relatively unknown to them.

I understand that you are incapable of grasping the fact that a synonym is not an alternative word for the same thing, but had you ever bothered to pursue an education, you would know this.

You are using the word incorrectly.

I'd tell you to look it up, but you're just too stupid to understand -- even with the aid of a dictionary.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscure

3 : relatively unknown: such as

b : not prominent or famous // an obscure poet

I am an obscure poet, because my work is only known to a small group of people. Longfellow is not an obscure poet because he achieved both prominence and fame.

It doesn't matter whether that majority of illiterate people on the street are familiar with his name and/or works. He had achieved both prominence and fame.

One doesn't become obscure because they are forgotten over time. If you ask the average person on the street who Homer was, they'd tell he's a cartoon character on "The Simpsons."

Homer, Longfellow, Teasdale, Rossetti, et al., were giants -- they left their mark on literary history, and helped to shape the poetry that followed them. Your ignorance of them will never diminish their achievement.

Sorry, Pendragon, but many of the giants you listed are fading into obscurity.

Ask the average person an find out for yourself.

HTH and HAND.

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 1:08:25 AM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> Sorry, Pendragon, but many of the giants you listed are fading into obscurity.
>
> Ask the average person an find out for yourself.

As I said, they are *unknown* to the average person. They are not now, nor shall they ever be, *obscure.*

As previously noted: by your definition, anyone who isn't a current household name would be considered obscure.

Many of the biggest celebrities, world leaders, entertainers, sports figures, etc., from the 1980s and earlier -- all the way back to the beginning of recorded history -- are virtually unknown to the majority of Millennials, Zillennials and Gen Alphas.

Are you going to claim that 99.9999999% of history/culture/etc. is obscure?

What a jackass!

Michael Pendragon
"I was influenced by the poetry of Edgar Allan Poland other poets but I don't consider that a topic to debate."
-- Will Dockery on his literary influences

At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:32:20 AM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.

You don't play, you're stuck on stupid.

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:35:22 AM UTC-4, blackpo...@aol.com wrote:
> On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:32:20 AM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
>
> > At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.
> You don't play, you're stuck on stupid.

That's pretty funny coming from a feeble-minded old fart like you, Senetto.

🙂

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:32:20 AM UTC-4, Will Dockery wrote:
> At least you admit now that most modern readers don't know much, if anything, about poetry, Pendragon.

I never said any such thing, Donkey.

Most modern *readers* have some familiarity with poetry.

Most modern people on the street (which, unfortunately, includes the illiterate denizens of Shitholeville) do not.

Michael Pendragon
"The Universal horro noir was hardtop top... Tis true...."
-- George "Stink" Sulzbach, career pissbum

To cite but one example.