Meditation
Submitted by no_exit on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 2:35am.
Have your apprehensions ever been
a yodeling cowbird, a rip
in the pants of reason? I was standing on my hands
getting lucky
with a rabbit foot harpoon. I felt omnipotent
like a Juno chardonnay, Mr. Johnny in the ice box,
completely undrinkable. The sour
toes of a lemming danced across my tongue and leaped
into the eyelash of a cheap foreboding.
I knew the answer to this riddle once, I really did,
but my ethos fell to pieces.
questions from Juno
Hi,
I read poetry often, but usually in my home language (Afrikaans). And your poem lends itself to a wide range of interpretations. So forgive the questions. Am I right in my reading that you are saying the Juno Chardonnay girl looks strong (in mind)? And who / what is Mr. Johnny (Johnny Walker?). Last question: Is "completely undrinkable" a reference to Mr. Johnny? I ask because I own Juno and my wife is the artist behind the labels.
johan
Answers to Juno
Excuse me while I pick my chin up off the floor. Your wife would be Tertia du Toit? I think her artwork is lovely. My wife, on the other hand, bought this bottle of wine last Thursday and didn't care for it in the least. It's a 2005, if that helps. It doesn't taste corked or anything (no cork) but she contends that she would only use it for cooking. While writing this poem, I drank two small glasses. I greatly prefer reds, so am no judge, but this particular white was not my cup of tea either. Kind of sour for a chardonnay, no real delicacy to its flavor. Perhaps that's the "note of apple and lime"? I think its more than a "note". Anyway, I used the wine in the poem to make an ambiguous statement in a meaningless surreal poem that has more to do with my own struggles with anxiety than your wine - I used "undrinkable" as more of a personal aphorism than a critique of the wine that led up to it. I had no idea the owner of the winery would ever be reading this. Sorry. I'm not even going to say what "Mr. Johnny" refers too, but its not Johnny Walker. If Juno makes a red, I'll check it out.
juno returns
Well, 2005 helps! We started with a Chardonannay with very lttle wood (we've been going only 3 years). Should be very evolved (without the wood tannins to keep it well) by now. The 2006 had more wood - made for the US market (in what country do you live, by the way?) and will drink well for some time.
Glad I picked up the abiguity, though.
And yes, trhe apple and lime should be gone by now - kinda like an old Sauvignon Blanc.
Sorry to hear about your anxiety. Try making and selling wine. I've aged about 40 years in the past 3.
The only real sense in life (if you are still reading) is in music: Mozart, Dylan, Springsteen, etc. Wine and poetry helps, though.
Keep on writing!
Juno returns
I replied earlier (and it took me a while, since English is not my home tongue), but the website moved on without registering my comments.
Here I go again. Thanks for mentioning us in a poem, I guess.
The 2005 Chardonnay was made in an un-wooden style and should be pretty evolved by now. From 2006 we adapted to a more wooden style. Please try our reds!
In what country do you live, by the way? I assume the USA?
I am glad I picked up the ambiguity. I am sorry to hear about your anxiety though. Please try the wine industry. I’ve aged about 40 years in the 3 years we’ve been doing this.
I truly believe that music (which incorporates poetry) is the only sensible thing in life (Jackson Brown, Bob Dylan, Mozart, Jacques Brel, etc). So keep up the good work.
Hi Johan The site is kind of
Hi Johan
The site is kind of slow and frustrating lately. I'm glad you're open to a critique of your wine, I was a little nervous about that. But wine is like poetry, no? My wife mentioned that she thought the chardonnay was un-oaked, which generally would appeal to her. So, that would have been your first batch of chardonnay? We'll try a 2006 sometime, and I'll definately pick up a red if I see it. Any recommendations? Anyway, welcome to the site here. There was a day when this community was pretty lively, and always open to honest critiquing of poetry. As far as the critiquing goes, it still is, and your voice would be a welcome one for livening things up. Do you write? If so, I'd love to see your own poetry. As for the "only real sense in life" - I'll agree with you on Dylan, Mozart and Brel. I live in Dylan's home state (in the US), not that he's inclined to acknowledge us much. I wouldn't call music the only real worthwhile thing in life though - good wine is right up there too, as is poetry, and I wish your winery the best.
Jim