The Golden Gate : Appetizer
5.1
A week ago, when I had finished
Writing the chapter you’ve just read
And with avidity undiminished
Was charting out the course ahead,
An editor –at a plush party
(Well-wined, -provisioned, speechy, hearty)
Hosted by (long live!) Thomas Cook
Where my Tibetan travel book
Was honored–seized my arm: “Dear fellow,
What’s your next work?” “A novel…” ” Great!
We hope that you, dear Mr Seth–”
“…In verse,” I added. He turned yellow.
“How marvelously quaint,” he said,
And subsequently cut me dead.
5.2
Professor, publisher, and critic
Each voiced his doubts. I felt misplaced.
A writer is a mere arthritic
Among these muscular Gods of Taste.
As for that sad blancmange, a poet–
The world is hard; he ought to know it.
Driveling in rhyme’s all very well;
The question is, does spittle sell?
Since staggering home in deep depression,
My will’s grown weak. My heart is sore.
My lyre is dumb. I have therefore
Convoked a morale-boosting session
With a few kind if doubtful friends
Who’ve asked me to explain my ends.
This reader to Mr Seth just says: “Thank God writers are stubborn and do as they please.”
To the readers of this post, she promises “See you soon with a billet about this luminous book.”
But more importantly she cries out THANKS SCOTT!!! 🙂
Book Around the Corner 
Don’t know how long this book is, but reading it may do something permanent to your brain.
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It’s not very long but it’ll stay with me.
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I take it you liked it, then?
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Liked it? Loved it!
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I’ve “only ever” read A Suitable Boy and I loved not just the book but also Vikram Seth’s playful insertion of these little poems. I’m looking forward to reading what you have to say about The Golden Gate!
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Billet coming soon. (if I manage to put down Run River by Didion to write my billet)
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Loved the verses you have quoted, Emma. So beautiful.
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Thanks. I wanted to share this quote. It’s representative of Seth’s spirit, I think.
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