In Dublin's fair city,
Where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she pushed her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, 'Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh!'

Why do Dubliners welcome poets so warmly? Because literature and thought is held in high regard. I'd never met so many people who were studying, or had studied, Philosophy. Plus, they read a lot. I mean, a lot. They buy books all the freakin' time. I'd worked in two bookshops during my time there, so I know this firsthand. They read more than Australians do, anyway. Also, since Philosophy is a bit of an odd subject in Australia, a little scorned and maligned, to meet so many philosophers freaked me out a little, especially since I only barely passed it during my undergraduacy.

A Dublin friend told me the Irish receive a really comprehensive education. That might also have something to do with it.

Some generalisations/observations on the poetry scene in Dublin:

• Depending on the reading venue, more men will get up and read their poetry than women.
  
• The line between traditional and experimental is strongly demarcated, with traditional styles heavily favoured by the establishment (ah, what'd you expect?).
  
• At a literary festival, the rhyme factor increases exponentially, the older the poet.
  

So now you know.

Last week, I received my first issue of a year-long subscription to The Rialto. While I can't support every poetry magazine—though one day I hope to have 20 subscriptions to various journals—I can do this much.

Okay. It must be real. Over to my lefthand side are scattered pages from the confirmation package, with paperwork to fill and my dates of residency. So. Here it is...

We are delighted to inform you that our admissions panel has responded favorably to your application and has recommended that you be offered a MacDowell Colony Fellowship during the Winter/Spring season.

I'm going to The MacDowell Colony! Yay! I'm there from January 24th till February 22nd!

I wonder which of these yummy studios I'll get? What poems I'll write?

'What larks, Pip! What larks!'
- posted by Ivy @ 10:14 AM ¦ | ¦