That’s a haiku, she added helpfully. Just not a good one. I’d try again but I think we’ll both hate me in the morning.

Here’s a better one, from Michael Hartnett’s Inchicore Haiku:

No. 45
I’m stopped in the street
A stranger tells me his sins.
And he forgives me

And lest you think Hartnett was referring to Eames/Bradley, here’s an interesting page from Hartnett’s official website — put together in memoriam by his son — you might like to read.

http://www.geocities.com/fluukk/Reflections.html

I’m probably making it sound more complicated than it actually is – wouldn’t be the first time.

Longley identifies a process through which “a vocabulary of behavior” becomes accepted, by society, as a standard by which everyone operates.

The question to be asked, as the linked thread hopefully points to, is what happens to a society in which behaviour is accepted which fundamentally undermines vital elements of society – such as accountability mechanisms and, in particular, the judicial system.

The land of the blind, in other words.

Only joking. Will look at the thread.

Later. )

No argument, I think. You’ve been spending too much time on that immigration thread ;o)

The interview does set the context of the reference, and I’ve added the specific quote to the original post.

But the link, here it is again, indicates that as a society we should be very careful about what customs – or, more specifically, what we allow to become customary – are set down as part of the Civilisation Process™

If you and I are having an argument over the meaning of Longley’s words, you will have to supply a trail of (flotation) bread crumbs, I’ve swum out over my head. I looked up the interview seeking clarity.

I don’t think I’ll be able to attend, but I’ll post it above the fold and, hopefully, push some readers your way.

susan

That’s the context of the statement. But as the link in the original post suggests – “the damage to our society and our democracy may already be irreparable..”

http://www.webdelsol.com/Five_Points/issues/v8n3/ml.htm

Thank you for the information on “Our Shared Japan.’ The list of contributors is very promising.

despite what others have said (now and again) it’s always reassuring to read these poetic (might even say ‘civilised’?) posts of yours.

You and others who feel the same might be interested in a little-publicised event this Wednesday evening at Bookfinders Cafe in Belfast:

It’s the Belfast launch of ‘The Echoing Years’, an anthology of Canadian and Irish poetry including francophone and Irish language poets. Some of the contributors will be on hand to read work from the anthology and to discuss the many connections between the two (or four, or more) literatures.