BS: At the New Year - poem

Subject: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:22 PM

...about 1966, I hand-set the type and printed this on an old treadle operated platen press and gave copies to friends.

It's about time to share it with others again.

There are many things to think about as we look ahead....these are only a few.



AT THE NEW YEAR

In the shape of this night, in the still fall
       of snow, Father
In all that is cold and tiny, these little birds
         and children
In everything that moves tonight, the trolleys
       and the lovers, Father
In the great hush of country, in the ugly noise
       of our cities
In this deep throw of stars, in those trenches
       where the dead are, Father
In all that has been said bravely, in all that is
       mean anywhere in the world, Father
In all that is good and lovely, in every house
       where shame and hatred are
In the name of those who wait, in the sound
       of angry voices, Father
Before the bells ring, before this little point in time
       has rushed us on
Before this clean moment has gone, before this night
       turns to face tomorrow, Father
There is this high singing in the air
Forever this sorrowful human face in eternity's window
And there are other bells that we would ring, Father
Other bells that we would ring.


         Kenneth Patchen
          "First Will & Testament" 1939

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:46 PM

Well Bill, I should have known so I am not surprised that you would be hip to Kenneth Patchen, another Ohio boy who made good. There are times that our own Donuel reminds me of Patchen's mind...........

Great post Bill..................Happy New Year and a hug for Rita too!

Pat

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 09:24 AM

...and to you and Karen, too....(there are some odd minds that Ohio produces)

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:57 PM

That is beautiful, Billdarlin', thanks, very much.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: gnu
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:35 PM

Indeed! Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:11 PM

Forgot to ask, do you have any of your hand-printed copies left? Any pix? I'd love to see it.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:24 PM

I know I have a couple in an old box of 'stuff' I moved from Wichita 30+ years ago.... I was thinking I ought to dig it out. I'll go down to the catacombs and brush away the cobwebs...later....

The press itself looked 'almost' exactly like this

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:29 PM

Oh, how funny! I bought type from this place in Wichita! I HAVE that catalogue...maybe in the same box. The owner of the type foundry, Ross Thomas lived right across the street from me.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:12 PM

Too kewl! You have inspired me to call a printing place here this coming week to ask if anyone has chronicled their history and taken pix. The old fellow who owns and runs it, along with his son, still has huge old presses and hand presses. He took me around and showed them all to me. He also had a row of drawers units full of type, probably 8-10 feet long and about 5 feet high full of type. Each drawer was about 2" high x 36-45" across and deep. FULL. It was wondrous and so historical. He had the whatever you call them for printing pictures of local and national persons of note. All kinds of symbols, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:08 PM

Oh, I had about 8 drawers of type in a heavy, rolling stand...and a wooden box of 'pied' type... (it means 'piled in a heap')... which I would occasionally sort thru when I needed one more 'k'. Picture 100 lbs of tiny, loose pieces of lead...some damaged... and me, trying to locate ONE letter.

I went to the foundry..once... to buy a couple of fonts, and it was like walking back 100 years! Guys in back room with old furnaces and arcane machinery.....and it 'happened' to be almost lunch time when I was there, and the old man walked to the door and pulled a rope, which ran thru the wall tied to a bell, to tell them it was lunch time!

Yeah... document those old places, kat... they are a dying art.

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: olddude
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:17 PM

Brilliant post Bill Happy New Year, thank you for sharing that gift

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:19 PM

You're welcome, Dan...

Subject: RE: BS: At the New Year - poem
From: Joe_F
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 08:25 PM

As the long year came to an end all the world wept.
Clouds burst against the spires and minarets,
The streets melted and
Many shivered at their gray reflections.
And I was glad, as one is relieved at artificial endings.
Tomorrow, in a different year, we shave the same face
or powder it; and lawyers tell the same old laws for
or against us.
Yet the mind relaxes as midnight passes,
And I was glad this year crept out in tears,
That the dirty sky, without a lawyer's aid, should open,
And make an end of it.

-- Rusty Ross (1953)

*

Through the years, we've grown used
    To the truth-telling boor,
      So rejoice in the yeast
       And its white lies on beer --
In the bubble-borne boost
    To the bedlam where you're
      A contented old beast
       In a Happy New Year.