dear Cheryl

this is gradually becoming an interesting blossom

silent lotus

Thanks Tom.  Very much.

cheryl

I wish the bro began S4 with some clue I could interpret as his answer to N's question "Why mention only white men?"

Silent, I'm so sorry I missed your reply.  Thanks so much.  Yeah, the river is flowing a little slow, eh?

cheryl

Tom thanks for pointing that out.  I added a few phrases.  Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,
cheryl

Yeah, I think that's enough, Cheryl. Here, though,

    "Because history handles it that way...
    if they didn't drown or get shot,

the "they" might have to be specified better now. Tom

I keep coming back to this, Cheryl. I can understand your attachment to it, it seems both personal and (in the best sense) impersonal. Important truths and all that.

I'll continue to follow its development with interest. I might even have a more concrete suggestion next time!

It's also reminding me - big time - of Randy Newman's great song about (I think) the same event - Louisiana 1927. Do you know that one? Worth seeking out if you don't. (That whole album, Good Old Boys, is - so far as I, as a Brit, can tell - very good on the South.)

Cheers

David

David!  Had no idea you were keeping up with this poem.  The history is fascinating.  Please feel free to advise me in anyway you wish.

Regarding Randy Newman, sounds like you've done your homework, and yeah, I bet it is about the same flood.  Louisiana was greatly effected/affected(?).

Thanks again,
cheryl

"more than white men had ever seen" makes me think back through history, at floods, at Noah's flood, at the Nile, at the Danube, wherever....like how ancient this whole poem winds up, all its themes ancient...

Tom, thanks for your continuing comments.  Don't know what I'd do without them.  I had more hope for this poem, but it just doesn't seem to be latching on.  I wonder if I should change the opening by going directly into the conversation.

thanks again,
cheryl

First of all, maybe "latching on" isn't its bag, Cheryl. It's a very unusual poem. A very good unusual poem. Let it be that.
Second of all, what are you talking about? It's being read and commented on profusely and has been riding the front page of Submit for almost 2 weeks!
Tom

oh ok.  maybe I just needed you to tell me that.   I'll leave it alone for now and see what happens.

thank you so much,
cheryl

those Nobels take time...

now that's an interesting thought, not about my poem of course, but who one the last nobel peace prize for a poem, or is it poetry?  I think I'll look it up.  thanks Tom.

What a relief to see this here.  I really like the subject and really hoped someone else would too.  Thanks, whoever you are.

cheryl