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I am very moved by one detail

Post #1397 • September 28, 2009, 8:05 AM • 22 Comments

Constantine Cavafy:

Perhaps the most original and influential Greek poet of this century, his uncompromising distaste for the kind of rhetoric common among his contemporaries and his refusal to enter into the marketplace may have prevented him from realizing all but a few rewards for his genius. He continued to live in Alexandria until his death in 1933, from cancer of the larynx. It is recorded that his last motion before dying was to draw a circle on a sheet of blank paper, and then to place a period in the middle of it.

Title of post is from "Of Coloured Glass."

Comment

1.

Hrag

September 28, 2009, 8:49 AM

I wonder if he was a boy scout. That circle with a dot represents, "gone home." It's something boy scouts learn.

2.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 9:12 AM

Really? I've been a Boy Scout and now a leader for half my life, and I don't think I've ever heard of that. Not that I'm doubting you, honestly -- there's a lot to Scouting and there's plenty I'm sure I don't know.

3.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 9:19 AM

The circled dot is actually on Baden-Powell's grave marker. Good grief, where have I been?

4.

Tim

September 28, 2009, 9:58 AM

Wonder if the Scouts got it from the Greeks?

5.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 10:16 AM

More than likely the Scouts got it from the Native Americans, although it's such a common symbol it could've come from anywhere. I know American Scouting uses a lot of (supposedly) Native American lore; how much was used by British Scouting and Baden-Powell I don't know. Obviously I'm ignorant, since I'd never seen the symbol before.

6.

that guy

September 28, 2009, 4:21 PM

A few more left handed / right handed paintings. Last vote is at a 50/50 split. So much for an artblog.net consensus.

7.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 4:29 PM

Well, TG, I think what's you've proved is it doesn't matter which hand you paint with. Unless you can sift the results and determine that people you respect (OP, Franklin) prefer one and people who are known hoseheads (me, George) prefer the other.

8.

that guy

September 28, 2009, 4:38 PM

Maybe Chris. Or there really could be something to it and it could improve my painting. In which case I'd better find out.

9.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 4:53 PM

All I'm saying is, if the 50/50 split continues, then you've proved something, which is that you might as well stick with the hand that's most comfortable. Unless you're a masochist.

I imagine you'll need more than two or three paintings (and polls) to feel sure about the results, so go ahead and have fun!

I spent a little while trying to drive with my left foot just in case I ever injured my right foot, so I'd be ready. Turns out it's hard to drive left-footed due to the placement of the pedals. I'd keep getting caught under the brake pedal.

10.

opie

September 28, 2009, 6:06 PM

Actually That Guy and I disagree on which one is best.

I won't say who its the hosehead.

11.

opie

September 28, 2009, 6:15 PM

A circle or square with a dot in the middle is a hobo sign for danger or beware of the man here.

12.

Chris Rywalt

September 28, 2009, 6:41 PM

I wasn't trying to be specific about anyone's hoseheadedness, except, of course, my own, which is well documented. It'd be up to That Gut to figure out who is who.

13.

wwc

September 29, 2009, 7:24 AM

I may be a philistine but I didn't love that poem too much. Franklin's drawn poems are better IMHO. There is probably a lot of loss in translation...

14.

Franklin

September 29, 2009, 7:46 AM

It's not my favorite but it had a handy opening line.

15.

wwc

September 29, 2009, 9:36 AM

Aye on that line. Very nice.

16.

MC

September 29, 2009, 10:16 AM

The circled dot is also an astrological/astronomical/alchemical symbol for the sun. Oh, poets!

17.

that guy

September 29, 2009, 10:39 AM

Sorry Franklin in advance of the link above but as circle and dot analogies go, this one is hard to beat. Make sure you click through all 27 images to get the full effect. Number 7 is my favorite.

18.

Chris Rywalt

September 29, 2009, 10:51 AM

Not only does the circled dot make an appearance, but opera as well. Way to tie together two conversations!

19.

that guy

September 29, 2009, 11:41 AM

I thought it fit. But then again I've always enjoyed restroom poetry as one of mankind's highest acheivements.

20.

Chris Rywalt

September 29, 2009, 11:42 AM

Here I sit
Broken-hearted
Came to poop
And it turned out I didn't have to.

21.

Tim

September 29, 2009, 1:09 PM

Some of those movements can be really symphonic.

22.

opie

September 30, 2009, 5:52 AM

or really moronic...

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