Don Jung on sun 29 dec 96
Happy holidays to everyone, hope it's been a good year and that the new
year will be even better. Here's a passage from Don Jones that I think
most will enjoy and perhaps inspire a pot or two.
Enjoy Don Jung (in snowy Vancouver BC)
Don Jones wrote:
>
> Don and Donna,
> I was browsing through my old books and found a first edition translation
> of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1937) What follows is what the book
> opened up to (I swear!)
>
> XXXVII
>
> Then of the Thee in Me who works behind
> The Veil of Universe I cried to find
> A Lamp to guide me through the Darkness; and
> Something then said ---- "An Understanding blind."
>
> XXXVIII
>
> Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn
> I lean'd, the Secret Well of LIfe to learn:
> And Lip to LIp it murmur'd---"While
> you live,
> Drink!---for, once dead, you never shall
> return."
>
> XXXIX
>
> I think the Vessel, that with fugitive
> Articulation answer'd, once did live,
> And drink; and that impassive Lip I
> kiss'd,
> How many Kisses might it take---and
> give!
>
> XL
>
> For I remember stopping by the way
> To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:
> And with its all-obliterated Tounge
> It murmer'd---"Gently, Brother, gently,
> pray!"
>
> XLI
>
> For has not such a Story from of Old
> Down man's successsive generations roll'd
> Of such a clod of saturated earth
> Cast by the Maker into Human mould?
>
> I could not remember if the thread regarding pottery in literature covered
> this passage or not but it sure is beautiful
>
> Don
Ann Hunter on mon 31 jul 00
ABB Tribune: I am not clear about what your concerns are regarding
Erasmus and potential copyright violations. Surely anything written
in the 17th century is in the public domain by now. N'est ce pas? I
have to say I have slept many nights since I read some Erasmus in
World Literature class. But I'm curious. Can you suggest particular
works that may refer to clay, or a particular translation?
-Ann Hunter
Wichita Falls, TX,USA
achunter@wf.quik.com
ABB tribune on mon 31 jul 00
Poetry and pottery, two arts inseparable for centuries. The very famous
Erasmus Q. Cornillon, potter and french ceramicist living in the town of
Rouen during the17th century, had the habit of reciting verse written by
Fran=E7ois Villon, massaging and caressing his clay while throwing
His incomparable works of engineering and artistic creation are in the
majority
of the large European museums. He wrote many poems himself, of which =
some
appeared in collections under the pseudonym " Terraternatus, l'=E2me =
=E9prouv=E9e
de la terre" or under the generic name " Terra nostra, anno 1693-1702 ".
Some of these poems, of which the famous " Ode =E0 la glaise ", have =
been
rewritten
(plagiarized) nowadays by talented writers not much disturbed by =
copyright
laws and the belonging of these poems to pottery world heritage. Can the
world of pottery, frustrated by these practices, defend itself? Are =
there on
Clayart people ready to help us save the memory of =C9rasmus and to =
restore
to favor his deeds by giving us pieces of advice and ideas?
Clayarters, thank you for your time.
A.B.B Tribune
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