Exam results in..!

This is just to say

I have marked
your portfolios
that were in
my postbox

and which
you were probably
anxious
to hear about

Forgive me
they were delicious
so accomplished
and so cool

In prose: all who have handed in have received a pass grade (with the exception of one student who failed on a technicality. That student has been notified separately).

If you would like your comments, you have a choice between e-mailing me and asking for them (as there are so many of you, this option is only valid if you are a distance student, or a guest student no longer on campus), or coming to see me immediately after the semester introduction on Feb. 1st, 10-11 a.m. Failing that, e-mail me to set up an appointment at another time...

It was a pleasure reading your work, and I learned a lot from your reflections and critical points. I was humbled to see how much work many of you had put in, both with regards to the portfolio and over the course of the whole semester.

Thanks!
Bent

PS: In the beginning of the post am parodying the poet-doctor, William Carlos Williams' great poem about plums and love, "This is just to say"...

Combat Manual

In which Henry Reed's 'Naming Parts' is re-animated to fit the ever-ambiguous, modern perception of warfare; in four parts.

Meet and Greet

When I was young, and not so old,

I happened upon a meeting.

There were many spectators,

watching the stage's proceedings.

And now, for you,

I will attempt to renew

that manual which was

presented.

'Today, my people,' said the wise old man,

'we have a fight that we must battle.'

He had made a list,

a quick how-to.

A simple combat manual.

The Rules are Presented

He presented three objects then,

held them high in the air.

The first, he proclaimed,

would save us from forgetful-ness.

The second, he shouted,

would remind us of events gone by

Finally- the third,

his voice now dropped to a quiet whisper...

would stop the world from turning.

I was silent for a moment,

the whole crowd was.

Then, from the back,

I heard a ruckus.

Sparring Ensues

'But sir,' a voice said, 'I thought you swore,

these devices would help us win a war?'

'Quite right, Madame,' cooed the man upon the stage.

'But sir,' said another, 'they serve the same purpose,

or so it seems, judging by your description.'

Quite right, kind fellow,' cooed the man upon the stage.

'But sir,' I could not hold my silence any longer,

'What value is there in such silliness?' I scoffed.

'It surely will not win this war.'

'Quite right, young one,' cooed the man upon the stage.

The wise old man then had only one response,

'It is true my devices are quite silly,

but it is quite pertinent to have silly weapons

when fighting a silly war.'

The Victor

With that, the wise old man left his stage.

The audience remained,

still wondering which team should play

offense or defense.

Naming of Art

To-day we have naming of art. Yesterday,

We had a bunch of new. And to-morrow morning,

We shall have what is considered old. But to-day,

To-day we have naming of art. The empty battlefield

Glistens over the now-blank canvas like awaiting someone,

And to-day we have naming of art.

This is the upper part. And this

Is the lower part, whose lines you must follow,

When you are given your brushes. And this is the middle part

Which in your case is the most important. The colours,

Slide together on the blanks creating a dramatic tone,

Which in our case is important.

This is the paintbrush, which is always held

Between two fingers. And please do not let me

See you let it slip. You can hold it quite tight

If you have any strength in your hand. The bodies

Are fragile laying emotionless on the now less blank canvas, never letting anyone see

You losing your slip.

And this you can see is the colours. The purpose of these

Are to make impressions, as you see. We can slide it

Rapidly up and down: we call this

Making an impression. And rapidly down and up

The soldiers are looking on from the background:

They call it making an impression.

They call it making an impression: it is perfectly easy

If you have any strength in your hand: like the colours,

And the impressions, and the paintbrush, and the dramatic tone,

Which in our case should be evident: and the bodies lie,

Silent on the now-coloured ground with the soldiers looking on,

For to-day we have naming of art.

(Pastiche - a picture painted of a horrible war)