Sep 14, 2008
A Handy Guide for Beggars, Especially Those of the Poetic Fraternity, by
Vachel Lindsay.
True story. In 1906, young poet Vachel Lindsay wanders through a dozen states, with no money and no baggage, staying with random strangers, reciting poetry and teaching "The Gospel of Beauty." So, what do you suppose that was like? Wonder why this book was popular in the 1960s & '70s?
NOTE: Some use of "The N-Word" on the part of the author, quoted faithfully by me. Sorry if you're offended.
Part 1.1 -- Preface through the first story.
Music by Kevin MacLeod.
I\'m flattered you came way back here! :) When I came across that first, I almost decided not the read the book. Then I caught on to how he portrayed the character, and the time and place. And I got it. Lindsay was considered in his time both an important civil rights activist, and something of a bigot. Poets, who can figgur \'em?
\"His ankles were innocent of socks\".
\"This dish was innocent of any enhancing condiment.\"
Nice phrases.
The part where the guy asks if ...I\'m gonna say certain people had souls... not as nice a phrase, but fits the story. Reminds me of one time when I worked retail, and some crazy homeless woman asked me \"Are Indians the same?\" How does one answer these questions, without offending.
I found it interesting that what was true back then is still true today. Those with the least are the most likely to share it with others.
I\'m looking forward to hearing this story from the starting point. I think last time, I accidently started someplace in the middle.