[Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)

[Joe Camp]

Elle:
     As one English teacher to another (and of course, there is a load of context attached to that association) I want to say thanks for the welcome.  The poem has generated quite a bit of strikingly positive commentary.  However, with this group, I think I could have written "Mary had a little lamb" and put in "Rhodes 22" someplace and been hailed as the next T.S. Eliot.   Anyway, I appreciate you having taken the time to email, as well as the assessments: "beer is good, people are crazy."  Seems I'll fit in nicely.
Joe 

--- On Fri, 4/9/10, elle <watermusic38 at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: elle <watermusic38 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)
To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Date: Friday, April 9, 2010, 11:19 AM

Hi, Joe and welcome to 'da list. 
Your poem was wonderful (former English teacher here...;^). I enjoyed it and hope the mood will strike again & again and you'll send us some more. Lord knows this list could use the culture...(ONLY KIDDING< guys!).
You & Chris Cowie need to get together....Chris to illustrate your gliding prose with his breathtaking watercolors. What a match!!
Again, welcome. After SS, this is 'da place' to find out about all things Rhodes.
elle 
Beer is good....people are crazy

1992 Rhodes 22    Recycled '06"Watermusic"  {Lady in Red}

--- On Wed, 4/7/10, Joe Camp <jjcampjr at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Joe Camp <jjcampjr at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Member (with extras)
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 7:59 AM


Rhodes Community:
 
     I am in the process of having Stan recycle a boat for me.  In the process of our communications, he suggested that I introduce myself to you all and include a copy of a poem I wrote for him (yeah...a poem).
 
     Currently, I am a cop near Philadelphia, retiring in July. My wife and I will move to the Greensboro NC area, where I will be teaching English at several area colleges. I'll be putting the boat in on John Kerr Lake, north of Greensboro at the end of July / beginning of August.  In the process of investigating the Rhodes 22 and communicating with Stan, I became (theoretically) acquainted with the boat's qualities.  Being a writer (in addition to the cop and professor gigs) I felt a compulsion to do something that addressed the more esoteric elements the Rhodes offered to its owners.
 
     I sent the poem to Stan, and he suggested that I post it here in order to get your collective feedback.  Since, as he said, this is your "baby," you may have some comments (or even suggestions) about the piece.  And, as I will be making additions and adjustments to the boat, as my will and needs dictate, I would appreciate your informed opinions on these technical matters as well, when these times arrive.
 
     So, here is the poem (below).  I look forward to comments of any color, and to a long (semi) retired span of years sailing this boat, getting to know its many benefits and establishing myself as one of this group's dedicated members.  Thanks.
 
Joe Camp
 
     Wasp 
(for Stan Spitzer) 
                                                JJ Camp 
Flying—almost 
silent approach never 
expected; overtaken 
skipper’s awe 
obvious in the wake. 
Elegant sloop quietly 
glides past  
to starboard. 
Effortless 
essay: full genoa 
never luffs, despite elusive 
wind’s teasing kiss. 
Sturdy twenty-two 
sails a reach, water 
rides—rises at her 
bow cuts like a knife. 
Errant tell-tail nearly still 
day, windless noon 
paints every spar 
straight at the sun; no 
boat heels—but one: 
  
The Wasp tacks 
away—main 
already tight— 
on a new heading.                                                February, 2010 
 


      
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