Tuesday, September 28, 2010

he makes words dance


Words make love on the page
like flies in the summer heat
and the poet is only the bemused spectator.
Charles Simic

Newsflash! I just got word this morning that the handsome and talented Charles Simic will be attending the Willow Manor Ball! If you remember, he was invited, along with George Sanders, Trevor Howard and Robert Osborne. Since Mr. Sanders responded first, I chose him as my date for the evening. Now, I will be forced to split my attention between the two. Oh, what vile torture. I hope Mr. Simic is as light on his feet, as he is with his words.

In case you're unfamiliar with my particular crush, Charles Simic was born May 9, 1938, in Belgrade. He is a Serbian-American poet and co-Poetry Editor of the Paris Review. He was appointed the fifteenth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 2007.

After surviving the German bombing and occupation of Belgrade, he escaped Yugoslavia with his mother in 1948 into Austria and France, arriving in the United States in 1954 when he was sixteen. He grew up in Chicago and received his B.A. from New York University. He is professor emeritus of American literature and creative writing at the University of New Hampshire.

Simic brilliantly weaves his brutal childhood experience, twisted with wordplays and a comical sense of humor in his work. Not only is he a profound poet, but a thoughtful essayist on the topics of jazz, art and philosophy.



Classic Ballroom Dances


Grandmothers who wring the necks
Of chickens; old nuns
With names like Theresa, Marianne,
Who pull schoolboys by the ear;

The intricate steps of pickpockets
Working the crowd of the curious
At the scene of an accident; the slow shuffle
Of the evangelist with a sandwich board;

The hesitation of the early-morning customer
Peeking through the window grille
Of a pawnshop; the weave of a little kid
Who is walking to school with eyes closed;

And the ancient lovers, cheek to cheek,
On the dance floor of the Union Hall,
Where they also hold charity raffles
On rainy Monday nights of an eternal November.


Charles Simic





Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Third Annual Willow Manor Ball! The festivities will begin at 12:00 a.m. EST, this Thursday, September 30. Everyone who leaves a comment on Thursday, will be included in the drawing for two elegant door prizes. A Mr. Linky widget will be provided if you would like others to visit your blog, to see your special date and elegant attire. I can't wait to see what you creative bloggers do with this!



53 comments:

  1. Love Charles Simic! His poem is certainly very appropos, Willow.

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  2. I wasn't familiar with Mr. Simic until now. Some fantastic imagery in that second piece! Thanks for sharing. Really!

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  3. Also not familiar with Simic but I love your post and that he'll be attending your ball. You're so lucky!

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  4. Master of poetry; word-weaving par excellence. I too experienced some of his wartime good fortune as Adolf's luftwaffe bombs and later his doodlebugs rained down on Croydon. He would have been about one when it began, I was then 4¾ - with a little brother about Charle's age. Thanks for introducing him to me!

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  5. Thank you for introducing him! Hmm...I would have dumped my date for him if I were you.

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  6. Got the dress, got the date. I need lessons in how to be a cougar, though - my date is much younger. Yikes.

    Can't wait!

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  7. I have read this poem somewhere before and did enjoy dancing with the images he gives us...perhaps he will consider another date if you are not available:)

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  8. Oh, lucky, lucky you to have Mr. Simic as your date (who says you can't have a man on each arm?)!
    Will have to enjoy the fun vicariously--natural wallflower--but wish you and all who attend a fabulous evening at the Manor!

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  9. ds, my sentiments, exactly. Stand back, Oliag, I can easily handle two! ;^)

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  10. Mr. Simic...the best
    good good choice

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  11. Mr. Simic will get along well with my date, I'm sure.

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  12. Am just coordinating my outfit with that of my partner - we don't want to clash before we even hit the floor, do we.

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  13. "rainy Monday nights of an eternal November". Well it certainly won't be that on Thursday!

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  14. I like his face and love the poem. Two men...one on each arm...you will have a smashing time! Hot time on the 30th!

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  15. Charles Simic is new to me...loved the two poems you included in your post.

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  16. Excellent choice, willow. I've been a fan of his some time. You know how to set up a grand evening, let me tell you. I can hardly wait!

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  17. Charles Simic! Brilliant! Excellent choice my dear! (And two escorts....why not!)

    Since I am half Croatian (on my Mother's side) and have visited Beograd many times, you know how I would love a dance with Mr. Simic...Mr. Minghella would love a dance with you...so perhaps we can trade partners for a dance?

    One can feel the excitement and electricity over the entire country - this will be an amazing Willow Ball!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  18. I was hoping to bring Joyce you know but he's apparantly busy with Molly...was ein pech!!

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  19. I don't know Mr. Simic, but now I look forward to meeting him.

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  20. I love the imagery of "rainy Monday nights of an eternal November". I can feel the damp, cold night air and hear the rain coming down. Glad the couple in the poem is inside dancing : )
    Can't wait to be dancing at the Manor Ball!

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  21. Just curious - shouldn't that first line be "grandmothers that wring the necks of chickens"?

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  22. Mr. C, absolutely. Thanks for alerting me. My typing is not always accurate! :)

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  23. How I love that first paragraph about words making love on the page! That made my day brighten up!

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  24. What a wonderful poem. I wasn't familiar with his work, but now I'll look for more. I was born In Croatia, and images of "Grandmothers that wring the necks of chickens" are quite vivid in my memory.

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  25. Love the poem by Simic.
    And the ball sounds lovely.

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  26. Ha! I am attending with a poet also. So excited!!!

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  27. I also wasn't familiar wiht Mr. Simic until your wonderful post. That poem was wonderful it really captures a place in time along with a diverse cast of characters. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  28. I am super excited I just checked the online catalogue of my library and they have pne of Mr. Simic's book. I put a hold on it and will pick it up when they email me. Thanks for the continued education Willow!

    The Voice at 3 a.m. Selected Late and New Poems by Charles Simic.

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  29. Kristen, be prepared for a treat!

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  30. Willow,

    I've been reading Simic for over 20 years. Guy's breathtaking in his economy of images -- a really valuable American contemporary.

    He's 'Da Man'.

    But, then, 'You Da Gal'.

    Don't mean to be secretive, but I've got a couple -- maybe three 'special friends' I'll bring with me to the Ball. Let you know in a short while for sure?

    TFool

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  31. I don't know this man but love his words ...you will have fun at the ball!

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  32. Willow I am so excited that my library even had it. After reading that poem, I am going to savor every word.

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  33. he indeed makes words dance..

    love the quote and will learn it by heart - that's fantastic!
    "Words make love on the page
    like flies in the summer heat
    and the poet is only the bemused spectator"

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  34. Mr. Simic does, indeed, have a way with words. Fascinating.

    I do hope to hear several readings from this masterful "man of letters."

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  35. Simic was a judge in a poetry contest I entered a number of years back. I didn't win. But I forgive him.

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  36. Oh lucky you! When you tire of waltzing, you and Charles can retire behind a potted palm while he composes an ode to your eyebrow!

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  37. Thank you so much for the introduction. Now I’ll get to know about him too.

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  38. And just when one feels that they
    know about enough, have studied
    enough, read enough poetry,
    Willow trots out Charles Simic.
    I have to be added to the lexicon
    of those not familiar with him or
    his poetics; and yet this poem is
    stunning. So I put him on my list
    of poets to study more later so
    that I can put their poetry in
    my mind and on my blog.
    I think Mr. Sanders is somewhat
    taller than this gentleman, but
    then in heels and that Ball gown
    you will tower over the proceeding
    anyway, and as a short man
    myself I assure you nothing
    pleases a shorter man more
    than to appear in public with
    a beauty like yourself as she
    stands tall and lovely over him,
    letting her sweet shadow caress
    the top of his head.

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  39. Willow, we must make sure that Mr. Simic shares some of his poetry with us at the ball -- perhaps in that beautiful, quiet time when we're all weary from dancing but loath to let the party end. We could gather around the fire, glasses of wine in hand, and drink deep of his words.

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  40. Haha, Glenn, I am tall, but not THAT tall. (5'7" to be exact) Shh! Don't tell, but I'm wearing my woolly socks under my gown. No four inch heels for this girl.

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  41. Sandra, I'll coax Mr. Simic, but if he declines, Alan Rickman as agreed to read for us!

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  42. Thanks for introducing Mr.Simic.. why leave comment on thrusday only??well,The poem was so good too..

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  43. Hello Willow! I have featured your poem Infinity on FAT Tuesday Artist Spotlight. I used your real name as you requested.

    Thank you for allowing me to share your wonderful way with words with others!

    The link is http://bethlniquetteart.blogspot.com

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  44. Alan Rickman's fruity English voice would be perfect to read poetry aloud at the Ball! Fruity in the sense of rich in a tonal sense! I got my date, I got my dress, I'm ready for the party....Nothing like a last minute hustle I always say! Hustle in the sense of rushing.

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  45. Willow, dahling... just checking to be sure you received the crate filled with the fresh (iced) Dungeness crab...and the champagne.... also "tossed" in a few California Merlots and Chardonnays.

    Goodness...we are the same height....(when wearing wooly socks).... I will be quite taller when I have my "jimmy's" on....but, as the night progesses. no doubt the shoes will come off!

    Looking forward to dancing, drinking, chatting, dancing, dancing and (of course) flirting!

    See you soon! (Franz thanks you for the candleabra! He will dedicate a piece to you!)

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  46. I've danced with some poets for years but never accompanied by your lovely Mr. Simic. Thank you for the introduction!

    (I missed your original Ball post and I'm not quite sure about the criteria? I'd hate to be guilty of improper etiquette!)

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  47. Thank you for sharing this poem...I can just see the little schoolboy walking with his eyes closed...and the closing line is why this man became our Poet Laureate!

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  48. Jo, all you have to do is show up and leave a comment to attend the ball....BUT....if you would really like to get into it, post on your own blog what you are wearing, your date, etc. I will be providing a Mr. Linky to sign up, if you'd like others to visit your blog. Be creative. It's so much FUN!!

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  49. Anticipation, anticipation is making me wait...and I can hardly wait this is my first ball ever!

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  50. I know!! Everything is set and I am itching to begin! I don't think I can wait until midnight...check back at 11:00!

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  51. I too,didn't know Simic,,,but I am most aware of wringing chicken's necks. Not first hand mind you, but by watching my Grandmother prepare for Sunday Dinner.
    I look forward to a poetry reading at The Ball by whichever poet is willing.

    This is becoming very exciting!

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  52. Charles Simic--the perfect date for your poet heart@ Glad he can make it. Perhaps we coudl be fortunate enough to have a poetry reading as the festivities wind down! What a thrill that would be, eh?

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  53. Such a gorgeous, glowing new banner. Perfect for a girl like you! This is actually my little break before the class comes in from recess. I just have a moment and I wanted to personally invite you to participate in my blog swap. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'd love it if you'd join us. Of course, I totally understand if you can't or don't want to. Take care. Many blessings to you and yours.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)