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After Caedmon, there came other religious poets, the most famous of whom is Cynewulf, whose name means “bold wolf.” The oddest thing about Cynewulf, whose poems are paraphrases of the Bible, is the habit he had of “signing” his poems. There are poets who have done this, of course, in a much more efficient way than Cynewulf. Perhaps the most famous is the American poet, Walt Whitman, who speaks about himself in his poems, saying: “Walt Whitman, un cosmos, hijo de Manhattan, turbulento, sensual, paternal, comiendo, bebiendo, sebrando.” 9 And he has a poem that says: “Qué ves, Walt Whitman?” [“ What do you see, Walt Whitman?”] And he responds, “Veo una redonda maravilla que gira por el espacio.” [“ I see a great round wonder rolling through space.”] And then: “Qué oyes, Walt Whitman?” [“ What do you hear Walt Whitman?”] At the end, he sends best wishes to all the countries of the world, “from me and America sent.” 10 Ronsard did the same in a sonnet. 11 And Lugones has also done it, kind of in jest. 12 Somebody asks in Lunario sentimental, “El poeta ha tomado sus lecciones / Quién es? / Leopoldo Lugones / Doctor en Lunología” [“ The poet has had his lessons / Who is he? / Leopoldo Lugones, Doctor of Lunology.”] But Cynewulf chose another way. This practice is common among Persians, and it seems the Persians did it so that others wouldn’t claim their poems as their own. For example, the great Persian poet Hafiz mentions himself many times, always in praise, in his poems. He says, for example, “Hafiz,” and someone answers, “The angels in the sky have learned your latest poems by heart.” Now, Cynewulf— remember that the detective novel is a genre typical of the English language, although it was invented in the United States by Edgar Allan Poe— Cynewulf anticipates cryptography, using the letters of his own name to make a poem about the Final Judgment. 13He says, “C and Y kneel in prayer; N sends up its supplications; E trusts in God; W and U know they will go to Heaven; L and F tremble.” And this is written in Runic letters.

Borges, Jorge Luis (2013-07-22). Professor Borges: A Course on English Literature (p. 43). New Directions. Kindle Edition.

And on the cool check in Center stage on the mic And we’re puttin’ it on wax It’s the new style

Four and three and two and one What up! And when I’m on the mic - the suckers run (Word!) Down with Adrock and Mike D. and you ain’t And I got more juice than Picasso got paint Got rhymes that are rough and rhymes that are slick I’m not surprised you’re on my dick B-E-A-S-T-I-E, what up Mike D. Ah yeah, that’s me I got franks and pork and beans Always bust the new routines I get it - I got it, I know it’s good The rhymes I write - you wish you would I’m never in training - my voice is not straining People always biting and I’m sick of complaining So I went into the locker room during classes Bust into your locker and I smashed your glasses You’re from Secausus - I’m from Manhattan You’re jealous of me because your girlfriend is cattin’

There it is - kick it!!!

Beastie Boys (1986) The New Style. Licensed To Ill.

February 20th, 2014 8:47am