The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Again, Cassone, On Newtown

Posted on | December 20, 2012 | 2 Comments

by Smitty

We need a word for that awkward point,
When one enounters art,
And says, “Da best in da flippin’ joint!
Tell, me: How’d it start?”

The artist’s face, it then grows dark,
And with a lowered eye,
Replies, “Blood down in the park,
That deserved not so to die.”

Oh that we could enjoy beauty,
But with a lower price,
For with the living lays duty,
To dodge diabiolical dice,

And honor those less fortunate,
For reasons we grasp not,
Perishing in moments turbulent,
In sudden, hellish shot.

We need a word for that awkward point. Pre-catharsis? Take in this touching tribute:

Comments

2 Responses to “Again, Cassone, On Newtown”

  1. Chris Cassone
    December 21st, 2012 @ 10:32 am

    Left unsaid was I live just over the border in NY from Danbury CT, a short ride into Newtown. Everyone here knows someone who was impacted by the tragedy. A HS friend’s grand niece was 6 year old Jessica Rekos, first grader. Not that you have to have 2 degrees of separation to feel the pain but evil seems to be on the march and winning sometimes.

  2. Stogie Chomper
    December 21st, 2012 @ 12:03 pm

    I’d like to write poetry, but it is difficult. Maybe the non-rhyming kind like that of Rod McKuen. Take the chicken way out! It’s easier. Methinks Smitty has a burning desire to write, and I understand that feeling. I took Creative Writing at San Jose City College three times and read lots of books on plot, character development, dialogue, etc, and even Campbell’s book “Hero With a Thousand Faces,” (the elements of myth). Never wrote any great fiction, however. It’s harder than it looks, but you’ll never write and publish anything unless you make a start. Just do it; rewrites are the key to success, I’m told — you can always rewrite if the first draft doesn’t cut it.