[TheForge] The Philosophy of Fire (was Ah kin spel betr'n'u)

Mon Apr 21 09:29:00 2003

Simple as it may be, the 7th stanza of Longfellow's "The Village Blacksmith"
says it all for me.

"Toiling,--rejoicing,--sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose."

Then there is that sage proverb by some forgotten African philosopher.

"The sword's edge does not recognise the neck of the blacksmith who forged
it"

Regards,
Donn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen McGehee" <[email protected]>
To: "The Forge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 8:02 AM
Subject: [TheForge] The Philosophy of Fire (was Ah kin spel betr'n'u)

> I grew up in a home with a Mom who was an English teacher, as a result,
> I can speak fairly well, read a lot so I know a buncha big words, but
> don't ask me if it is a verb or a dangling participle.  This is the
> forge, not www.alt.properenglish.uk.  Bob Patrick said once that most
> really good blacksmiths cannot write well, most good writers really
> aren't good blacksmiths...  I like my spell checker, I try to go over
> each word as it is highlighted to see how I misspelled the word, thereby
> learning how to spell better next time.
>
> Call for Input:
> I am compiling a book on Coal Forge Design for ABANA and am looking for
> a great piece of Philosophy or Poetry pertaining to staring into the
> fire/contemplation-we all do it to some extent, anyone have some piece
> that says it well?
>
>
>
>  Stephen McGehee
>  Publisher of
>  Irony, the sketchbook of an apprentice blacksmith
>  P. O. Box 9822  Pine Bluff, AR 71611
>  [email protected]
>  (870) 540-0142
>  (479) 643-3299 (farm)
>  You can see a sample of IRONY magazine here:
>
>   http://lametalsmiths.org/news/page4.htm  )
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  [email protected]
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>