From Rodney Jones’ poem “On Criticism” in the new issue of Parnassus: Poetry in Review:
Without taste, criticism inflates to theory. The technique
and not the art. The theology without the religion.
The critic fails when he stops thinking of the sweetness.
2 responses to “Rodney Jones in Parnassus.”
Do you know that Pabulo Neruda poem, Sweetness Always? This is toward the end:
Don’t be afraid of sweetness.
With or without us,
sweetness will go on living
and is infinitely alive,
forever being revived,
for it’s in a man’s mouth,
whether he’s eating or singing,
that sweetness has its place.
MMMMM.
Y’know, I don’t, but I bet Rodney Jones does — thanks for noticing! My Neruda backlist is woefully incomplete.