Originally I wanted to test Theodore Sturgeon’s
great quote: “90% of everything is shit.”
And see if it was true that
Quantity would get you quality.
I have to admit that there is a mildly famous
Poet in this town, who loves the sound of his own voice
(which admittedly is deep with a pleasant accent),
Whose voluminous poetry is so clotted and over-decorated
I find it incomprehensible – yet some people must like it,
Because he has quite a following, publishes
Regularly (his own small press), is always at
Poetry readings, putting bad people like me
Off and to sleep.
So quality is a difficult thing to pin down
And the fault might very likely be with me
And not him and his convoluted effusions.
To Sturgeon’s Principle, I add Finney’s Corollary
Which says that at least 10% of everything
Might be good.
***
You know what to do