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Poetry / Shakespeare vs. John Hollander

Shakespeare vs. John Hollander

One step foward
Two steps back
Oh come on Hollander...
You can do better than that!

If I wrote like a monkey
Or, goofed on a spell
Would credence support
Your insultuous tales?

I challenge you pen against pen
Our minds engaged
The world the witness
The New Yorker the stage!

Will you prove your points
And, graciously accept?
Or, do you fear this challenge...
Honorably left.

Poetry fairs the sword
Our skill bares the shield
The world will determine
Which writer yields.

You the High Brow Writer
Against I, the low brow best.
At this Literary Battlefield
I greet you, Well Met!

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Reviews

June 18, 2009

squarehopper

No. of Reviews	Overall Quality	Comment Followup
1723	80.2% (718 votes)	37.6%

REVIEW QUALITY: 100.0%(1 vote ) personal info reviewer stats

Age	Gender	Location	Last Login
45	M	Bolingbrook, IL	November 18

squarehopper reviewed Version 1 - Read 100% of the Item

IT is most unfortunate that his statement is not being answered.

If you are serious about challenging him to a poetry writing duel, this is not really the best first punch. Title is wrong – Shakey is a white man – unless that is your name and you are not white.

Although I did enjoy the piece, I have to assume this is a serious challenge.

So I have to be critical of it. I am a Latino and I want you to represent. And represent well.

I think instead of alluding to the cause of your challenge, spell it out for all to witness in the poem.

I want a more serious tone in the challenge.

When read aloud, this felt song like – detracting respect from your challenge methinks. I would break up the rhythm a little by making some lines a little longer.

Hope it works out.

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June 18, 2009

by GillBranion

No. of Reviews	Overall Quality	Comment Followup
11	50.0% (4 votes)	32.4%

Age	Gender	Location	Last Login
43	M	LA, CA	October 16

personal info reviewer stats

Hello,

You are right and this was a serious challenge sent to, “The New Yorker”, where the challenge would be hosted with transparency and viewed by the public. The public would decide which poet was better…

All professionals in the Literary World know that, “The New Yorker” has published very many of Mr. Hollander’s works through the years and he is very close to the Editors.

The response from The New Yorker to my challenge was simply this…

“We regret that we are unable to use the enclosed material. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider it.

The Editors”

Mr. Hollander did not comment and I do not know, but I do strongly assume, he was informed of the challenge.

Regardless, the moral of the story is simply this… Of course, Mr. Hollander has the freedom to make such insultous tells about minorities written works, when no public journalist venue (ie. newspaper, magazine, or even popular blog) will allow his insults to be met by serious challenge for the world to view and decide whether he is right or wrong!

I can send you the entire email correspondence sent to, “The New Yorker” with ther response if you send me your email address.

Thank you for your comments and I greatly apprecite your insight!

-Michael

Thank you for your

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