Dr. Farmer!

I know of CAS and Baudelaire, preety bloody easy considering the translations, but how far was CAS aware of Mallarme? I've been reading him in translation, and enjoying the prose poems considerably.

Can anyone else illumine this question, to satiate my curiosity?

Phillip

Hi Phil, - Recall that CAS had read the entire Brittanica and the Americana (1895) - he was conversant with the whole panoply of French authors, critics, poets, novelists, artists etc. - Recently reading
DSF's excellent work with Bertrand's "Gaspard..." brought of flood of memorable names that passed in conversation - Mallarme, Saint-Beuve,
etc. - the entire creative history of 19th century europe was
the womb of CAS childhood adventures in learning.
Dr. F

Dear Dr. F.,

safely saying, then, that CAS knew who Mallarme was, a question arises: how intimate was he, to one's knowledge, with his poetry? This can lead one to ask how familiar he was with other poets' works beyond the bleeding obvious, ie. those poets we know he translated.

In part this is an idle question; in part it reflects on the depth of one's exposure to cultures, and to poetry in particular. The more I read, the more I write, and the more I write, I hope the better I write, even if the development is too slow for my myopic eyes to record.

Phillip

Perhaps I make an assumption I should not - it has been many, many
years since I myself read the French writers of that era - however,
I can assure Clark read the poetry in great depth - the circle of
Baudelaire he considered essential to gettng inside that genius'
head in order to attempt his verse in English - which he did
rather well - may I add here, very high kudos to my dear old friend
Don Fryer whose work I mentioned before on "Gaspard de la Nuit" is
quite simply some of the most refined and elegant translation work
I have seen in my life - and I have seen (and done) a lot. It is
easily on the level with the splendid translations of Kazantzakis from
modern Greek - and that is high praise indeed.
Dr. f

I hope to obtain "Gaspard de la Nuit" soon, and I am eager to read it. I have recently finished Mr. Sidney-Fryer's two books of verse, and I enjoy his work. He has inspired me to write a small handful of pieces.

Thank you for the information that you have kindly supplied, for it has eased my idle curiosity immensely. On a side note, know you of CAS' favourite flowers, birds and beasts?

Phillip

Clark and Carol had a huge old cat who tolerated an occasional lap-sit from time to time - I don't recall pets at the cabin - though there were some chickens - they were not penned so lived a penuruious existence (sorry). Clark knew where they laid their
eggs. As to all other creatures, he preferred that they live naturally and free in the wild - domesticated beasts were just that and that was in the natural order -
not a Zoo man in other words. The Oak tree outside the cabin had a zillion nests in it largely populated by sparrows. Robins abound also in the Auburn area (or used to).
Humming birds were a delight to his eyes - but he also got a wry look when a crow
would eat some other birds eggs or steal their nest. His saying about the eagle
and barnyard fowl is indicative -
Dr. Farmer

Did he have any specific beasts he delighted in looking at or contemplating. You mentioned humming birds, which I've noted.

What of plants and flowers... what were a joy to him, what did he love above all else, to look at, touch or smell?

Hopefully you shall see the fruits of this questioning.

Phillip

Clark himself grew a small garden before he married - after moving to Pacific Grove - Carol had numerous potted plants about on the the fence ledge or hanging from a limb, or sitting about the patio out back - she liked the smaller plants - violets, primroses etc, as well as the more robust (cactus, rhododendron). Clark delighted in her delight. He had, of course, long since observed anthropomorphic characteristics - the faces in pansies, the sexual characteristics of the various exotics, commonly approximating or suggesting male genitalia, and found amusing the actual meaning of many names for plants such as "orchid" - indicating its resemblance to the scrotum; this was the subject for a fun discussion on the reason for giving an orchid to one's "prom" date -
dr.f

Quote:

"orchid" - indicating its resemblance to the scrotum

I've wondered whether another reason for this isn't the fact that neither thrives in cold temperatures. ;-)

I did find out that 'testicles' literally means 'family jewels'.

Phillip

I have no idea what this post topic is all about, but I can't help but giggle at the mention of male genitals. What was CAS's fascination with exotic plants? I really don't know much about him; Did he enjoy gardening and watching animals frolick? I'm out of the loop again! Don't everyone laugh at me at once!!



Novena

Novena!

I'm responsible for the animals and plants, but not really for the genitalia, testicles excepted. (Oh dear....)

I asked what were CAS's favourite birds, beasts and flowers, for a poem I'm writing. I've passed a rough draft to Dr. Farmer to look at.

The other topic, er, organically occurred.

I'm smiling, but not at you....:)

Phillip

I don't know if I should be amused or alarmed. : D
I've never seen an orchid, do they really look like male genitalia?
If so, I'm going to plant some in my garden, lol!
Who knew that Mother Nature could be such a hussy?

It probably depends on the individual's genitalia, as to whether any given orchid looks like it.

Personally, I want one of those flowers that smells like rotting meat. Just imagine the neighbours' faces...:)

squeak!

me

Opus 1613: The tomb of Clark Ashton Smith
-----------------------------------------

Hummingbirds mark in joyous airs
his final place, shaded by trees
standing to the west. Under leaves,
shading a mass of swallows, fares

a single spirit hearing hymns
sung in an avian speech, holds
a single finger forth that scolds
ancient cat that stares at them.

This is the land his hands had held
and sculpted into hard-cast shapes;
no longer now his thought escapes
to fancies strange, distances eld.

Just as Oedipus, turned to rest
blind on living Colonus' soil,
knew surcease of wandering, toil
and sunk his head upon his breast

in prayer before Chthonic powers,
then stepped within the holy place,
this spirit guards his town, a trace
that lightly stirs the simple flowers.

Down in this place, the mournful boulder
bearing upon its brows the marks
that speak, unto this city park
reminds us of the muses' bold heir,

yet though he rests from weary toil,
and, toilless, simple flowers grow
in shafts of sunlight that fall, glow,
this soul is part of Auburn's soil,

this man belonged to Auburn, though
his ocean heart would beat and pour
hard against its philistine shores
in vain. He saw its blossoms grow,

and held its bones beneath its soil,
and heard its heart, and saw so deep,
plunged in his hands, only to reap
years of small reward and toil.

He brought forth, still, from shallow earth
orchids rich with beauty's delight,
nightingales chaunting deep in the night,
haunting airs of Averoigne, worth,

brought he no rue to weave in wreathes,
brought no evil malison dire,
brought but the warming flame of fire
that limned his hymns assuaging grief.

This is his land, the stone proclaims,
we are his children, daisies sing,
brooklets chaunt his music, and bring
with breezes the lais within his name.

Here's the tomb of Clark Ashton Smith--
marked not by stones nor words all still,
but Auburn's life that made him thrill,
the life of bird, of bloom, of leaf.

15-16 August 2004

Hi

Why waste money on plants? Kill the neighbor's goat, let it fester, nail it to the roof and enjoy! Mwa ha ha!

Megatron

A charming thought, my dear, but the Amorphophallus Titanum is a wondrous thing. [www.fairchildgarden.org] . CAS would've found everything about this plant fascinating, I'm sure, not least its name!

And Mallarme' would have found the hijacking of this thread utterly malodorous, I'm equally certain! (pun intended)

*sigh*
I wish I knew what the hell you were talking about. Silly boy. ^_^