Library Corner: January 6, 2010 |  This Week

A few months ago I was reading a book by Kathryn Schulz called "Being Wrong" and was struck by so many different ways humans admit their mistakes or not. One that was very interesting to me was the palinode, which is the poetic form for retracting a sentiment expressed in an earlier poem penned by the author. Of course, I HAD to look this up and read more about it.

The first known palinode was written in the 7th century B.C. by Stesichorus. In an earlier poem, he laid blame on Helen of Troy for the Trojan War. The palinode retracts his statement on this issue. Interestingly, Helen of Troy was so angered by his poem of blame that she cast a magic spell that caused him to go blind. After he wrote the palinode, his sight was restored. The poem that restored his sight and which was written personally to Helen of Troy was as follows:

"There is no truth in that story,

"You didn't ride in the well-rowed galleys,

"You didn't reach the walls of Troy."

Chaucer wrote a retraction at the end of the "Canterbury Tales" and in this section he asks forgiveness for his poor writing and vulgar parts of his earlier works.

Did he mean it? Scholars are divided on this: some believe he did it as a publicity stunt to sell more of his works, while others believe it was a deathbed wish to be absolved of his shortcomings as a writer. We'll never know the answer to that one.

Of the many palinodes I've read, my favorite is one penned by Ogden Nash, as only he can write. His original poem was:

"Candy

"Is dandy

"But liquor

"Is quicker."

He regretted that poem more than you know. His palinode?

"Nothing makes me sicker

"Than liquor

"And candy

"Is too expandy."

Poetry Books

As long as we're talking about poetry, here are a few poetry books you might enjoy. The library has a wide range of poetry books from which to choose in both the children's and adult sections.

E. E. Cummings was one of our most inventive poets and his works can be read in "Complete Poems, 1904-1962." During the height of his career he was one of the most widely read poets in the United States. His unique style altered the way many poets wrote, but his style was always identifiable. Challenging to read, but satisfying to look at how he breaks up words, doesn't capitalize, uses punctuation or not, and guaranteed to leave you thinking.

Wendell Berry is a Kentucky farmer as well as a poet, and his books contain a variety of poems. "Leavings" is a collection of love poems, elegies, lyrics and letters. His poems contain a range of emotions and often feel like short stories in poem format.

Louise Gluck is another popular award-winning poet, and "The Seven Ages" is her ninth book. In this book she looks back on her previous works and charts her course to her final resting place of death. You'll find yourself pausing to reflect after reading each poem.

The "Collected Poems, 1947-1997" of Allen Ginsberg contains the writings of one of America's "Beat" poets. As you read this, you can see how the author developed his style during his career. He was another poet responsible for changing the style of future poets as many tried to mimic him. Notes on the poems from Ginsberg along with other source material help you understand his writings.