10-12-2026, 10:45 AM
I hesitate in replying to River, even when I think he’s spouting rubbish and should be packed off to the underground anthracite mines of an anthracite mining country, his library burnt for not having a copy of Napier’s log tables, and the like. I hesitate because his wall of text is well constructed, practically a work of art. And so blemishing it with imprecations is not on.
To your point, River, American poetry including rock lyrics are rather pedestrian.
English is not a particularly musical language. It is a language of contemplation, and so Milton, but rarely Dylan Thomas. And the Beatles were ok, but far better song writers and lyricists have existed outside of that Anglosphere bubble. As a package, with the harmony and chords and melody and lyrics they are a standout still, but on melody alone, not even in the top 1000.
And the problem with America is not white suburban Dave or black Dwayne. It’s having access to cheap nutrition on tap, and a gun. I’d rather read Eritrean poets writing about their fondness for Italy than hear American leftists whine about something irrelevant at a Starbucks
To your point, River, American poetry including rock lyrics are rather pedestrian.
English is not a particularly musical language. It is a language of contemplation, and so Milton, but rarely Dylan Thomas. And the Beatles were ok, but far better song writers and lyricists have existed outside of that Anglosphere bubble. As a package, with the harmony and chords and melody and lyrics they are a standout still, but on melody alone, not even in the top 1000.
And the problem with America is not white suburban Dave or black Dwayne. It’s having access to cheap nutrition on tap, and a gun. I’d rather read Eritrean poets writing about their fondness for Italy than hear American leftists whine about something irrelevant at a Starbucks