Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Are not poets mere copywriters . . .



Are not poets mere copywriters with
     A single client to fulfil, a smith
Of clev'rly crafted phrase and form, herewith
     To please that stringent customer of myth?




re Totally Optional Prompts: Adjectives (rfps)

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SONNET 38

How can my Muse want subject to invent,
While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O, give thyself the thanks, if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight;
For who's so dumb that cannot write to thee,
When thou thyself dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
If my slight Muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.


— W.Shakespeare





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Addendum

2009/03/21:
Technical writers are copywriters without the "charisma". Poets are copywriters without the [money-paying] clients.

7 comments:

  1. That is very cool. Are words just advertisements for ideas? But you make yours so intriguing with your mastery of tongues.

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  2. Thanks!

         Poems are ads for ideas

    sounds like a good ad in itself.


    Copy (for ads) is not usually verse (unless it's like a jungle), but there is similarity between copy and poetry (in both directions).

    (Typically, they both fit on a single page — or sometimes two — and get to the point!)

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  3. u write the most interesting verses !!

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  4. yes, is it better to leave no light when placing words on paper... often wonder if words are enough for mere mortal thoughts even more so once put to paper... as always shakespeare places thoughts in well organized slots..

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  5. I love the agency name! What a delightfully well crafted four lines of poetry.

    You should thank your muse.

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