[Rhodes22-list] J. "Stanley" Prufrock
Joe Camp
jjcampjr at yahoo.com
Fri Apr 9 13:03:33 EDT 2010
Porter:
"...till human voices wake us, and we drown."
Although "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" seems (to me) to be more of a doubting lament over life passing, the imagery in your excerpt illustrates our affinity with the sea. Anyone who has held a tiller against the push of a strong wind knows the thrill of joining with the elements to produce a desired effect: holding a course or maybe making ready to come about. The feel of every tiny nuance in the ocean's breath, transmitted from the water, up the tiller to your hand, then up to your elbow, shoulder, your neck and into your anxious wanting brain, is verification of the connection that Eliot writes into "Prufrock." I am sure (if only in theory at this point) that the Rhodes 22 is a part of this poem in ways that Eliot never imagined. Porter, I agree with you in buckets!
Stan Spitzer is the poet whose pen has scribed the Rhodes 22 poem. He told me that he is "no poet." But Stan...poetry is more than just words; it's more a dream-communicated.
Joe
--- On Fri, 4/9/10, Matthew Porter <matthewporter27 at gmail.com> wrote:
From: Matthew Porter <matthewporter27 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)
To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Date: Friday, April 9, 2010, 11:50 AM
Isn't the end of *Prufrock *about the Rhodes 22?
*I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.*
Porter
On Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 11:44 AM, Joe Camp <jjcampjr at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Elle:
> As one English teacher to another (and of course, there is a load of
> context attached to that association) I want to say thanks for the welcome.
> The poem has generated quite a bit of strikingly positive commentary.
> However, with this group, I think I could have written "Mary had a little
> lamb" and put in "Rhodes 22" someplace and been hailed as the next T.S.
> Eliot. Anyway, I appreciate you having taken the time to email, as well as
> the assessments: "beer is good, people are crazy." Seems I'll fit in
> nicely.
> Joe
>
> --- On Fri, 4/9/10, elle <watermusic38 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> From: elle <watermusic38 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)
> To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Date: Friday, April 9, 2010, 11:19 AM
>
> Hi, Joe and welcome to 'da list.
> Your poem was wonderful (former English teacher here...;^). I enjoyed it
> and hope the mood will strike again & again and you'll send us some more.
> Lord knows this list could use the culture...(ONLY KIDDING< guys!).
> You & Chris Cowie need to get together....Chris to illustrate your gliding
> prose with his breathtaking watercolors. What a match!!
> Again, welcome. After SS, this is 'da place' to find out about all things
> Rhodes.
> elle
> Beer is good....people are crazy
>
> 1992 Rhodes 22 Recycled '06"Watermusic" {Lady in Red}
>
> --- On Wed, 4/7/10, Joe Camp <jjcampjr at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> From: Joe Camp <jjcampjr at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 7:59 AM
>
>
> Rhodes Community:
>
> I am in the process of having Stan recycle a boat for me. In the
> process of our communications, he suggested that I introduce myself to you
> all and include a copy of a poem I wrote for him (yeah...a poem).
>
> Currently, I am a cop near Philadelphia, retiring in July. My wife and
> I will move to the Greensboro NC area, where I will be teaching English at
> several area colleges. I'll be putting the boat in on John Kerr Lake, north
> of Greensboro at the end of July / beginning of August. In the process of
> investigating the Rhodes 22 and communicating with Stan, I became
> (theoretically) acquainted with the boat's qualities. Being a writer (in
> addition to the cop and professor gigs) I felt a compulsion to do something
> that addressed the more esoteric elements the Rhodes offered to its owners.
>
> I sent the poem to Stan, and he suggested that I post it here in order
> to get your collective feedback. Since, as he said, this is your "baby,"
> you may have some comments (or even suggestions) about the piece. And, as I
> will be making additions and adjustments to the boat, as my will and needs
> dictate, I would appreciate your informed opinions on these technical
> matters as well, when these times arrive.
>
> So, here is the poem (below). I look forward to comments of any
> color, and to a long (semi) retired span of years sailing this boat, getting
> to know its many benefits and establishing myself as one of this group's
> dedicated members. Thanks.
>
> Joe Camp
>
> Wasp
> (for Stan Spitzer)
> JJ Camp
> Flying—almost
> silent approach never
> expected; overtaken
> skipper’s awe
> obvious in the wake.
> Elegant sloop quietly
> glides past
> to starboard.
> Effortless
> essay: full genoa
> never luffs, despite elusive
> wind’s teasing kiss.
> Sturdy twenty-two
> sails a reach, water
> rides—rises at her
> bow cuts like a knife.
> Errant tell-tail nearly still
> day, windless noon
> paints every spar
> straight at the sun; no
> boat heels—but one:
>
> The Wasp tacks
> away—main
> already tight—
> on a new heading. February,
> 2010
>
>
>
>
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> to http://www.rhodes22.org/list
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