Transcribe
Translate
Wavelength, v. 1, issue 3, Fall 1941
31858063099622_006
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
6 I am afraid that this tender picture of sighing "Grandeur" has ra-ther mirthful an aspect for me! On the other hand, it cannot deserve to be denied. After all, Miske at times does make more adquate, ( "Fulfillment" - N 1:1 ), use of his poetic talents. Perhaps his best effort is the afore-mentioned poem: [indented] "Then forms of fire shall walk the world ...................................... And into Darkness, Earth be hurled." Have you noticed its crisp precision? [underlined] That crisp precision is just what much of his other verse lacks, but would be better off with. The poetry of Dale Hart, like that of Lowndes, is written in the so-called "modern" manner; it is free verse which often subsides dangerously near the level of prose. Despite the enthusiasm which Earl Singleton expressed for Hart's poetry, I find myself unable to attain any liking for it, and therefore I am probably incompetent to criticize it. The same remark, by the way, is applicable to the poetry of Michel, with the difference that Hart's basic ideas at-tract me while Michel's usually do not. However, I like Lowndes' ef-forts, by and large. "But Nocturne" ( N 1:2 ); "Fragments in Decem-ber" (N 1:2 ) and "Janine" ( Ph 8:3 ) are possibly the three of his poems I prefer. Though in most of his writings ( articles; not fiction ) Lowndes is of an essentially realistic turn of mind, to me his poetry is at its best when it wanders off into the world of fantasy and romance, promising his fair damsel [indented] "Somewhere down the road of worlds, It does not matter greatly where . . . Somewhere I will find you in my dreams." And now a word should be inserted about Earl Singleton. Singleton has done fan-poets a considerable service with his impressive fan-zine, "Nepenthe". Under his own name, he wrote considerable metrical verse of little more than average merit; under such pen-names as Curl Gradient, Dol Cross, and G. L. McMurty he experimented with var-ious verse forms, often with interesting and promising results. It is my opinion that Singleton shows promise. We have soon, then, something of the various phrases of fan-poetry, and have briefly discussed a number of the more eminent poets. It would be interesting to pose the question of whether the poetry of fandom is of as high a quality compared to contemporary poetry, as fan-writing is, compared to current literary standards. On the whole, this is a proposition I am inclined to doubt; in fact, it would be amazing if such were the case, for good poets are everywhere rarer - true even in the best circles - than good writers. There is hope. The fan-poets [underlined] do posses a spirit of vitality and robustness. They have some measure of talent and ability. At any rate, their poetry can be safely regarded as a decided asset to fandom. [centered] -----:------:----- [Footnote] [centered] SYMBOLS: A - "Alchemist"; C - "Chaos"; DT - "The Damn Thing"; N - "Nepenthe" ; PH - "Phantagraph"' P - "Pluto"; SC - "Scorpio"; S - "Spaceways" .
Saving...
prev
next
6 I am afraid that this tender picture of sighing "Grandeur" has ra-ther mirthful an aspect for me! On the other hand, it cannot deserve to be denied. After all, Miske at times does make more adquate, ( "Fulfillment" - N 1:1 ), use of his poetic talents. Perhaps his best effort is the afore-mentioned poem: [indented] "Then forms of fire shall walk the world ...................................... And into Darkness, Earth be hurled." Have you noticed its crisp precision? [underlined] That crisp precision is just what much of his other verse lacks, but would be better off with. The poetry of Dale Hart, like that of Lowndes, is written in the so-called "modern" manner; it is free verse which often subsides dangerously near the level of prose. Despite the enthusiasm which Earl Singleton expressed for Hart's poetry, I find myself unable to attain any liking for it, and therefore I am probably incompetent to criticize it. The same remark, by the way, is applicable to the poetry of Michel, with the difference that Hart's basic ideas at-tract me while Michel's usually do not. However, I like Lowndes' ef-forts, by and large. "But Nocturne" ( N 1:2 ); "Fragments in Decem-ber" (N 1:2 ) and "Janine" ( Ph 8:3 ) are possibly the three of his poems I prefer. Though in most of his writings ( articles; not fiction ) Lowndes is of an essentially realistic turn of mind, to me his poetry is at its best when it wanders off into the world of fantasy and romance, promising his fair damsel [indented] "Somewhere down the road of worlds, It does not matter greatly where . . . Somewhere I will find you in my dreams." And now a word should be inserted about Earl Singleton. Singleton has done fan-poets a considerable service with his impressive fan-zine, "Nepenthe". Under his own name, he wrote considerable metrical verse of little more than average merit; under such pen-names as Curl Gradient, Dol Cross, and G. L. McMurty he experimented with var-ious verse forms, often with interesting and promising results. It is my opinion that Singleton shows promise. We have soon, then, something of the various phrases of fan-poetry, and have briefly discussed a number of the more eminent poets. It would be interesting to pose the question of whether the poetry of fandom is of as high a quality compared to contemporary poetry, as fan-writing is, compared to current literary standards. On the whole, this is a proposition I am inclined to doubt; in fact, it would be amazing if such were the case, for good poets are everywhere rarer - true even in the best circles - than good writers. There is hope. The fan-poets [underlined] do posses a spirit of vitality and robustness. They have some measure of talent and ability. At any rate, their poetry can be safely regarded as a decided asset to fandom. [centered] -----:------:----- [Footnote] [centered] SYMBOLS: A - "Alchemist"; C - "Chaos"; DT - "The Damn Thing"; N - "Nepenthe" ; PH - "Phantagraph"' P - "Pluto"; SC - "Scorpio"; S - "Spaceways" .
Hevelin Fanzines
sidebar
