/lit/ - Literature

>>8091136
I am glad to see that some things are still very much the same.

This happened at one point. I don't remember when or why, but it definitely happened.

Not so much funny as it is amusing.

Memories bring a smile to my heart.

>>8091003
>>8091013
>both within the last two months
I am disappointed by this board's progression. /lit/ needs a hero again.

>>8090381
>medieval japan
pick an era, buddy

>>7874758
tu quoque

>>7874746
>absolute truth isn't real
>o ya? prove it with facts
lol

>pfft everybody here is a phony
>nobody knows about REAL literature discussion like me
>none of them are as serious about writing as *I* am
100% certain you talk all the time about how you're going to write a great work someday, but not today, because you're still waiting for the right inspiration

Southern California is not "inauthentic", whatever that means. It's a different place than wherever it is you're used to living. The people here lie to you constantly, if that's what you're referring to. That's not "inauthentic", that's dishonest, and it's simply a trait of the land. Southern Californians are (mostly) in Southern California because we're comfortable here.

If you're uncomfortable somewhere, great, say as much and move. Don't make up lies about both the people and their literary capabilities and accomplishments of a place as a means of artificially, preemptively separating yourself from them. If you want to write, you will have to be a 'part' of some place in this world without directionless judgment.

>>7247175
Any other requests?
Any criticism or analysis you wish to offer? There's a notable lack of *discussion* in this thread.

Far From Why by Paul Bowles

Who said what when
Not what was meant
Where heard how told
But far from why

There is a way to master silence
Control its curves, inhabit its dark corners
And listen to the hiss of time outside

(Not what is meant, and far away from why)

END

I'm actually surprised this thread hasn't been shut down by the Bowles estate yet. They're such fucking tight-asses about this sort of thing. I defy the powers that be, etc, etc.

>>7242842
You got it, boss.

A Melody (Scene II) by Paul Bowles

A melody on the definite sky
The insects claw inside the head
There is nothing left to decipher
I have left your eyes three months back

Woe unto constant seaside doubt
And your grey morning of treason
The cocks crowed from the cliff
And the velvet sound of surf
And your dim untroubled eyes
Set pain ringing sideways in my head

There is nothing to decipher
The cicadas essay small shiny noises
The shore makes no difference stretching to the south
In regions of furious voices not far above the earth
Your undaunted smile breaks into flame
Ashes of malady and milk of the wind

>>7241970
Those are the readings, which are supplementary.
The text itself is the significant factor.

I found another rather interesting poem by Bowles.

Serenade au Cap by Paul Bowles

A dull pearl evening presses down flat over all the land
Diming and darkening it pushes its grey face down wide
All around upon the lavender leaves in the trees
Expressionless all dead grey in the fast twilight
It hugs the hot earth close to its face
Under the towering fir by the pool the soft earth is warm and
black
A complete silence wafts down across the wet terraces and moist
petals
Wrinkle and fall the little diamond lights by the sea in a long
Curving line glimmer twinkle shiver on the brink of a grey
eternity
The pool is still with warm dark water the masses of froth do not
move
A dark form impenetrable silent in the fast twilight hugs the hot
earth
Close to its face

Bowles was *fifteen* when this was published. Isn't that incredible?