Read "Remembered Light" at The Eldritch Dark:
This poem from Clark Ashton Smith (CAS) was one of a handful that he published in Poetry magazine, which was a new publication in 1912, right around the time that CAS penned these words. More than a century later, Poetry is still being published monthly, an impressive feat for a publication dedicated to original English verse.
Note that the version of this poem at The Eldritch Dark has a typo at line 31, which should read (corrected word in bold type below):
Till the gold was shaken with flight
Despite a sonorous voicing and plenty of dramatic imagery, "Remembered Light" strikes me as being a bit pedestrian for CAS, reworking themes he addressed in other poems with more vigor and imagination. Nonetheless, it represents an important milestone in early recognition for the young writer, since Poetry magazine quickly became something of a tastemaker among American versifiers, even if it ultimately went in a direction that was hostile to CAS' particular style and artistic inclinations.
Note that the version of this poem at The Eldritch Dark has a typo at line 31, which should read (corrected word in bold type below):
Till the gold was shaken with flight
Despite a sonorous voicing and plenty of dramatic imagery, "Remembered Light" strikes me as being a bit pedestrian for CAS, reworking themes he addressed in other poems with more vigor and imagination. Nonetheless, it represents an important milestone in early recognition for the young writer, since Poetry magazine quickly became something of a tastemaker among American versifiers, even if it ultimately went in a direction that was hostile to CAS' particular style and artistic inclinations.
No comments:
Post a Comment