Still from Gone with the Wind.‘Hollywood Interview’ by David Whippman The Society August 18, 2020 Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry 20 Comments My marriage failed (they always do.) Emotionally unequipped To work things out without a script, We didn’t try to talk it through. What do I pay that therapist for? You can’t see what emotions mean Until you get them on the screen. We left them on the studio floor. The press put all the blame on me: I’ve always suffered for my art. I threw myself into my part (She threw herself into the sea.) And now this nomination! But I have to thank the cast and crew And the director—that guy knew Exactly how much grief to cut. David Whippman is a British poet, now retired after a career in healthcare. Over the years he’s had quite a few poems, articles and short stories published in various magazines. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 20 Responses Peter Hartley August 18, 2020 David – A very neat set of four quatrains in tetrameter and with a good narrative snappily delivered. Reply Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Thanks Peter, glad you liked the piece. Reply Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 This is very nicely done, because it expresses its feelings not in an open, blaring manner, but obliquely and artistically. It could be read as being in the voice of the poet himself discussing his marital problems, or it could be in the fictional voice of an imagined narrator, or else (as the fourth quatrain reveals at last) it is in the voice of a nominee for a major dramatic award. In short, the poem is a FICTIVE ARTIFACT. It isn’t some damned emotional revelation or confession based on the poet’s actual life. The title is perfect, because it clinches the intelligent reader’s perception that this is a made-up poem, not the report of some therapy session with a marriage counselor. Fine work, Mr. Whippman. Reply Sultana Raza August 18, 2020 Dr Salemi, agreed with all your points above. I’ve nothing much to add except that I also appreciate the black humour, and the facade that these stars put up in public and get away with all the time… Also, underlining the poem is the question, if the actor is incapable of feeling at all, or if he’s so detached from the world, and is a mere observer that he can’t have a meaningful relationship with anyone. Or perhaps this marriage was set up by their agents to form a power couple, and in the end it didn’t work out… Intriguing! Reply Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 Yes, it may well be that the poet has created the fictive persona of a cold and detached actor, whose marriage was not based on love. But the poet is also suggesting that any kind of art (whether acting or painting or poetry) must be done in an impersonal, cool, and detached manner, without emotional static or interference. That’s why the character speaks of the need for a “script,” and why he alludes to the rejected strips of film on the cutting-room floor of the film editor. A great film is made by careful directing, cutting, editing, multiple takes, and a solid screenplay. It’s not made by emotional effervescence and drama-queen posturing. The same is true for a good poem. It is carefully crafted by a cool and detached writer. And please — if somebody brings up that stupid Wordsworthian “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” as a counter-example, I’ll scream. The orgasmic daffodil-romp has been the source of too much idiocy in the poetry world. Reply Sultana Raza August 18, 2020 Dr Salemi, Indeed great art requires a certain distance, and detachment on the artist’s part, which is sadly lacking these days. I’m not a fan of confessional poetry either. All your comments above make sense to me, and I agree with them. Your comments above lead one to think that this ‘marriage’ was not a real one, but an artist’s or actor’s version of one. At least that’s my own impression of this marriage. Regarding Wordsworth, Keats famously said his works smacked of ‘the egotistical sublime,’ and I tend to agree with that view. Reply Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Sultana, thanks for your comments. You used the word facade, and indeed I find it interesting (if sad) that many actors seem to have only a facade where there should be something more real. Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 Dr. Salemi, I have been thoroughly intrigued by yours and Sultana’s comments. After your closing observation on Wordsworth, I simply had to post my antidote to clouds and daffodils. Oink! I wandered lonely as a pig who’s shunned from sty and starved of swill. Those runts who didn’t give a fig can shove a jocund daffodil towards a wink of twinkling sky where they will see this porker fly and float I will o’er vale and hill; I’ll gloat above the grunting fray. While Venus lights my porcine thrill, I’ll glide the moon-kissed Milky Way and snort at each notorious boar; such glorious hogs are born to soar. All scornful swine with no remorse can douse themselves in apple sauce! Reply Jeff Eardley August 18, 2020 Susan, as someone who has scaled the lofty heights of Helvellyn and danced with the daffodils on the shores of Ullswater, I must thank you on your excellent parody. However, this poem means a lot to us over here, (our 5th favourite of all time) and I hope that you can re-visit, and perhaps our next favourite “To Autumn” by Keats and maybe take a stroll “While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day” Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 Jeff, I have a great affection for Wordsworth’s poem and look forward to returning to the beauty of daffodil country soon. I also have much respect for Keats. I’ve even written my own version of Ode to Autumn from my new Texas perspective. If you’d like to see it, the link is below. It’s the last poem in a series of three. I have a very broad taste when it comes to poetry, and love to experiment with all forms. My favourite (obviously) is humour. There’s too little of it in today’s PC world. https://classicalpoets.org/2019/10/16/doublespeak-denial-by-susan-jarvis-bryant/ Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Thanks Susan. Now anyone who reads this will be getting two poems for the price of one! Jeff Eardley August 19, 2020 Susan, loved your “Ode to Autumn in Texas.” Your way with words is quite astonishing. Just wondering if you know of the country song “All my Ex’s live in Texas” by George Strait? I wonder if any of them visited Texas in the Autumn before they moved there. James A. Tweedie August 19, 2020 Susan, Two years ago here at SCP I posted my own read on Daffodils: Wordsworth’s Lament I wandered lonely as a cloud—Oh dear! I watched the dance of daffodils—Oh my! When on my couch in vacant mood I lie I feel their wealthy fluttering draw near. I see them toss their heads like twinkling stars; A sparkling, sprightly, jocund company. I gaze, I gaze, they outdo waves with glee; A host, a crowd, ten thousand avatars. They flash within my pensive inward eye; My heart is oft with pleasure filled each day. Alone a poet could not be but gay; Especially great Romantics such as I. I cringe to think that out of all the rest, This poem might one day be deemed my best. Susan Jarvis Bryant August 19, 2020 James, I love your condensed version of Wordsworth’s wonder. I think it’s up there in the Tweedie top ten. Jan Darling August 21, 2020 Stop it Susan! my sides are in stitches. Your roast of pork is delicious. Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote an entire book (“Biographica Literaria”) pointing out the flaw in Wordsworth’s aesthetic. But calling it “the egotistical sublime” really hits the nail on the head. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 David, an admirably and cleverly crafted poem that begs to be read more than once in order to drink in the subtle intricacies of meaning woven through the extended metaphor. A thoroughly entertaining conceit deserving of the SCP spotlight. Bravo! Reply Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Thanks Joseph. I actually had the idea for this piece while watching an Oscar acceptance speech. I wanted, I suppose, to convey the flimsy nature of the “reality” of so many in Hollywood and such places. Reply Jeff Eardley August 19, 2020 Dave, a lovely poem and so up to date here in England where we have had 16 days of courtroom shenanigans with the Johnny Depp/ Amber Heard trial with full media coverage. We await the outcome with interest. You have certainly hit the nerve with this one. Reply Dave Whippman August 21, 2020 Thanks again Jeff. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Peter Hartley August 18, 2020 David – A very neat set of four quatrains in tetrameter and with a good narrative snappily delivered. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 This is very nicely done, because it expresses its feelings not in an open, blaring manner, but obliquely and artistically. It could be read as being in the voice of the poet himself discussing his marital problems, or it could be in the fictional voice of an imagined narrator, or else (as the fourth quatrain reveals at last) it is in the voice of a nominee for a major dramatic award. In short, the poem is a FICTIVE ARTIFACT. It isn’t some damned emotional revelation or confession based on the poet’s actual life. The title is perfect, because it clinches the intelligent reader’s perception that this is a made-up poem, not the report of some therapy session with a marriage counselor. Fine work, Mr. Whippman. Reply
Sultana Raza August 18, 2020 Dr Salemi, agreed with all your points above. I’ve nothing much to add except that I also appreciate the black humour, and the facade that these stars put up in public and get away with all the time… Also, underlining the poem is the question, if the actor is incapable of feeling at all, or if he’s so detached from the world, and is a mere observer that he can’t have a meaningful relationship with anyone. Or perhaps this marriage was set up by their agents to form a power couple, and in the end it didn’t work out… Intriguing! Reply
Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 Yes, it may well be that the poet has created the fictive persona of a cold and detached actor, whose marriage was not based on love. But the poet is also suggesting that any kind of art (whether acting or painting or poetry) must be done in an impersonal, cool, and detached manner, without emotional static or interference. That’s why the character speaks of the need for a “script,” and why he alludes to the rejected strips of film on the cutting-room floor of the film editor. A great film is made by careful directing, cutting, editing, multiple takes, and a solid screenplay. It’s not made by emotional effervescence and drama-queen posturing. The same is true for a good poem. It is carefully crafted by a cool and detached writer. And please — if somebody brings up that stupid Wordsworthian “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” as a counter-example, I’ll scream. The orgasmic daffodil-romp has been the source of too much idiocy in the poetry world. Reply
Sultana Raza August 18, 2020 Dr Salemi, Indeed great art requires a certain distance, and detachment on the artist’s part, which is sadly lacking these days. I’m not a fan of confessional poetry either. All your comments above make sense to me, and I agree with them. Your comments above lead one to think that this ‘marriage’ was not a real one, but an artist’s or actor’s version of one. At least that’s my own impression of this marriage. Regarding Wordsworth, Keats famously said his works smacked of ‘the egotistical sublime,’ and I tend to agree with that view. Reply
Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Sultana, thanks for your comments. You used the word facade, and indeed I find it interesting (if sad) that many actors seem to have only a facade where there should be something more real.
Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 Dr. Salemi, I have been thoroughly intrigued by yours and Sultana’s comments. After your closing observation on Wordsworth, I simply had to post my antidote to clouds and daffodils. Oink! I wandered lonely as a pig who’s shunned from sty and starved of swill. Those runts who didn’t give a fig can shove a jocund daffodil towards a wink of twinkling sky where they will see this porker fly and float I will o’er vale and hill; I’ll gloat above the grunting fray. While Venus lights my porcine thrill, I’ll glide the moon-kissed Milky Way and snort at each notorious boar; such glorious hogs are born to soar. All scornful swine with no remorse can douse themselves in apple sauce! Reply
Jeff Eardley August 18, 2020 Susan, as someone who has scaled the lofty heights of Helvellyn and danced with the daffodils on the shores of Ullswater, I must thank you on your excellent parody. However, this poem means a lot to us over here, (our 5th favourite of all time) and I hope that you can re-visit, and perhaps our next favourite “To Autumn” by Keats and maybe take a stroll “While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day”
Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 Jeff, I have a great affection for Wordsworth’s poem and look forward to returning to the beauty of daffodil country soon. I also have much respect for Keats. I’ve even written my own version of Ode to Autumn from my new Texas perspective. If you’d like to see it, the link is below. It’s the last poem in a series of three. I have a very broad taste when it comes to poetry, and love to experiment with all forms. My favourite (obviously) is humour. There’s too little of it in today’s PC world. https://classicalpoets.org/2019/10/16/doublespeak-denial-by-susan-jarvis-bryant/
Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Thanks Susan. Now anyone who reads this will be getting two poems for the price of one!
Jeff Eardley August 19, 2020 Susan, loved your “Ode to Autumn in Texas.” Your way with words is quite astonishing. Just wondering if you know of the country song “All my Ex’s live in Texas” by George Strait? I wonder if any of them visited Texas in the Autumn before they moved there.
James A. Tweedie August 19, 2020 Susan, Two years ago here at SCP I posted my own read on Daffodils: Wordsworth’s Lament I wandered lonely as a cloud—Oh dear! I watched the dance of daffodils—Oh my! When on my couch in vacant mood I lie I feel their wealthy fluttering draw near. I see them toss their heads like twinkling stars; A sparkling, sprightly, jocund company. I gaze, I gaze, they outdo waves with glee; A host, a crowd, ten thousand avatars. They flash within my pensive inward eye; My heart is oft with pleasure filled each day. Alone a poet could not be but gay; Especially great Romantics such as I. I cringe to think that out of all the rest, This poem might one day be deemed my best.
Susan Jarvis Bryant August 19, 2020 James, I love your condensed version of Wordsworth’s wonder. I think it’s up there in the Tweedie top ten.
Jan Darling August 21, 2020 Stop it Susan! my sides are in stitches. Your roast of pork is delicious.
Joseph S. Salemi August 18, 2020 Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote an entire book (“Biographica Literaria”) pointing out the flaw in Wordsworth’s aesthetic. But calling it “the egotistical sublime” really hits the nail on the head. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant August 18, 2020 David, an admirably and cleverly crafted poem that begs to be read more than once in order to drink in the subtle intricacies of meaning woven through the extended metaphor. A thoroughly entertaining conceit deserving of the SCP spotlight. Bravo! Reply
Dave Whippman August 18, 2020 Thanks Joseph. I actually had the idea for this piece while watching an Oscar acceptance speech. I wanted, I suppose, to convey the flimsy nature of the “reality” of so many in Hollywood and such places. Reply
Jeff Eardley August 19, 2020 Dave, a lovely poem and so up to date here in England where we have had 16 days of courtroom shenanigans with the Johnny Depp/ Amber Heard trial with full media coverage. We await the outcome with interest. You have certainly hit the nerve with this one. Reply
