WEBVTT

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I have a quotation
which I would like

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to stand as an
introduction to my reading.

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It's from John Cage,
the composer whose work

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I admire very much, but whose
writings I find delightful.

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And in 1949, he wrote
this little squib.

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He was trying to describe
the condition of art

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in America at that
time, but I think

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what he had to say applies
to all poetry readings today.

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There is an element of
horror about them, which

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I think he describes very well.

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He says, "We are on
the point of being

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in a cultural situation
without having made

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any special effort to
get into one if one

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can discount lamentation."

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So no matter how loud
the lamentation becomes,

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I'll just read a
little louder tonight.

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