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« Patricia Carlin Presents a Poem by Stephen Burt | Main | "It's December in NY" [by Florence Cassen Mayers] »

December 28, 2009

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A man's character is often revealed by how he hogs the gravy.

Laura, you are a riot! But perhaps you lack the proper respect for His Eminence, Edmund Wilson, the premier critic of American literature. Or "Bunny," as he was known to his intimates.

There's a great story about a party at the Berrymans' apartment in the late 40s/early 50s, attended by a very manic Theodore Roethke. When Bunny Wilson arrived, Roethke, an enormous bunch of grapes in his massive paw, sauntered up to him, patted Wilson on his jowly jaw, and said, "What's this? Blubber?" Wilson, to his credit, just smiled and said, "And what are you? Some kind of half-baked Bacchus?"

Wilson was a pompous ass, but he was good with the repartee.

PS. Great poem!

yes, as i've predicted, more ESVM! when she wrote 'my candle burns at both ends' she really meant it. wilson was so in love with her and what he wrote about her is very moving. he was also the husband of mary mccarthy of course, whose novel 'the group' is said to include a character based on vincent.

Fantastic poem. Thanks.

Noah, thanks for that! Have a good New Year's.

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"Lively and affectionate" Publishers Weekly

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I left it
on when I
left the house
for the pleasure
of coming back
ten hours later
to the greatness
of Teddy Wilson
"After You've Gone"
on the piano
in the corner
of the bedroom
as I enter
in the dark


from New and Selected Poems by David Lehman

ThisWayOut
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