Trickery

[Bar22do]

Trickery

Leather bound volumes,
like soldiers at attention,
all around the room:
there Gide, here Tolstoy;
some (after Beardsley)
glitter of yellow, Castelot.

But as the sun sneaks in
through curtains' sudden yawn,
the truth freezes my sight:
lined up in compact rows
faux books decorate the walls.
D e c o r a t e the walls!

[PrinceMyshkin]

The economy here, the unforced, natural unfolding of these lines, is wonderful but I wondered if the whole of this "'library' look" wasn't meant to represent something wider and if so, I missed it.

[blank|verse]

I agree with Prince on this one, Bar.

I think there is something slightly unsatisfactory about the poem, and one is left trying to read more into the (possibly) metaphoric false books than perhaps is there in the poem.

(And typo: "curtains'", line 8) - although I liked the metaphor!

[Cunninglinguist]

If you're going to call certain authors huffy phantoms of pretension, as it were, only ever endeavoring to feign learnedness through writing pedantic books, expect to get criticized.

Unfortunately, this poem is the light that shows there are no books in your library - at least not by the author's mentioned - and moreover it attempts to equalize yourself with, if not put yourself beyond, these iconic writers. But the poem speaks for itself; with a lackadaisical form, an impotent metaphor, and your trying to deride these men, I think we know who's really trying to do the trickery here.

[Bar22do]

Thanks Prince, B/V and Cunninglinguist for your comments.
This poem only meant to express my shock to discover that, in certain milieux, faux books (with great authors' full names, plus titles, on the covers!) were a common practice and a sign of wealth and "good taste"!!! The idea of investing in a library atmosphere with not one book in the room, just empty covers for decoration, seemed unbelievable for me, though it turned out to be the truth (in the meantime I checked, and indeed there is a whole, well prospering business of faux books, not only in France!)

So, Cunninglinguist, far from me to deride anyone, surely not the mentioned authors. On the contrary, it was a protest! Specialists in faux books, as the buyers thereof, might be to blame...
I might have failed in writing a good poem and am open to critique (though a constructive one is always preferred), for this is how I learn to write, but I'd strongly suggest that you do not jump to such dramatic conclusions/accusations, or look for what the poem doesn't say, just try to read it properly.

Thanks you all and best to you as always,

Bar

P.S. Ah, and thanks B/V for catching the typo! corrected (though you liked the metaphor.. :)

[AuntShecky]

The first stanza ("strophe") with its military metaphor seems to be an illustration of the old saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword," yet the second stanza is like a wily pitcher "changing it up" with an unexpected curve ball. In fact, it illustrates another old saw, "Don't judge a book by its cover," when, in this case, as an interior designer's piece of decor, all that is there is a facade made of book covers.

This is some sly trick on the reader! The whole concept of using fake book covers to decorate a room fills me with dismay, even though as you say such phony attempts at gentility once darkened the sitting rooms of the French --and, I bet, those of snooty (and hypocritical) Victorians as well. Is there no length that the bourgeoisie will go to keep up appearances?

Your latest posting is quite a clever verse with a truly original topic.

[ADDED 3/6/11]:
Yesterday I forgot to put that from time to time
there are commercials on American TV about "Starving Artist Sales," apparently fly-by-night operations which temporarily hole up in motels in order to hawk truckloads of paintings. The
commecials always mention that there are plenty of
"couch-sized paintings" available. Yep. That's the aesthetic sensibility of the Am. middle class for you-- a painting is good if it fits nicely over the
divan!

[Jerrybaldy]

I thought I would post for its shear unlikeliness
JB

[Hawkman]

Sweet Bar, A sound observation very pleasingly conveyed. Reminds me a bit of the new money industry baron in the 19th century, who, having built himself a mansion in keeping with his wealth and status, decided that he needed a library to impress his visitors. He bought books wholesale, by the yard. Well, at least he actually had the books, even if he never read them - lol. A completely empty library, with cardboard blocks of books stuffed into shelves, is the kind of thing I'd expect on a film set. You describe a superficial illusion of culture, reduced to an interior decorator's fantasy.

Good poem.

Live and be well - H

[Bar22do]

Thanks Auntie and Hawk for your kind words!
Auntie, sadly you're so right, there might not be a limit for who's reduced to keeping up SUCH appearances (I can imagine the described "library" enhanced with a couch-sized painting... good heavens! ...). Jacques Brel never spared this milieu (do you remember his song "Les Bourgeois"?)
Hawk, well, as you say, your nouveau riche had at least the instinct to surround himself with true books (alright, bought by kgs/pounds...)...

Ah yes, and Prince, I think one of your remarks prompted me to edit the last L (still musing on it though), thanks.

Best regards to you,
Bar

[deryk]

Fantastic use of metaphor. Room to explore here. And I shall.

[Haunted]

This image is exquisite:

Leather bound volumes,
like soldiers at attention,
all around the room

[Bar22do]

Hey and thanks deryk and Haunted for your comments.
I can't do better with the last line for the time being, but hopefully it's at least less telly now...
Cheers from Bar