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Rated: E · Book · Writing · #2044345

Writing about what I have been reading and encountering in the media.

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I comment on things I am reading, thinking about, encountering in media, and spiritual issues. I hope you will find something interesting. PS. I love feedback...
September 2, 2023 at 1:22pm
September 2, 2023 at 1:22pm
#1055027
Mossotti, Travis, Narcissus Americana, University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, 2018, Winner of the Miller Williams Prize, selected by Billy Collins.

In the introduction, Billy Collins states he chose this book because he thought Miller Williams would like it. Of course, Mr. Williams is not available to ask. It is clear that Billy Collins liked Miller Williams, and likes this book.

Not long ago, I read some work by Frank O’Hara, whom this poet, Travis Mossotti describes as “unlucky” on page 61, / three thousand miles across the continent/ That day on Fire Island when wind teased/ the dune-buggied air, and under his feet,/ all of the earth’s violent and angry/ upheavals had been laid to rest. Now, Travis Mossotti, Billy Collins and Frank O’Hara are lined up in my mind on a bench in front of a used bookstore smoking cigars passing words back and forth like tokes from a reefer while 1950’s autos parade slowly by, the ragtops carrying blond 18 year-old cheerleaders smiling Revlon smiles and waving the inflexible Barbie wave.

Soon, the men will walk down the street to the college student hangout named after a fruit or a nut or a dead president, and order drinks around. Is that Billie Holiday singing in the background? Perhaps they are here to venerate Ginsberg. It would be a party of dark ruminations and ribald humor made smooth by cheap scotch or Irish whiskey or maybe only wine and the smoke would hang about them from the cigars forming a cloud evocative of Mark Twain. Although the #waitress knows to flirt for extra tips, she serves them stoically and walks away.


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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/item_id/2044345-Louise-is-Elizabeth-Hykes-blog/month/9-1-2023