Well, I know I swore off message boards for a while, but I just had to post and get your opinon on something. I have a little practice of reading something by T.S. Eliot before going to bed each night. Usually this puts me in a nice state of mind and helps me contemplate life through a poetic lens. Tonight, however, I had the misfortune to stumble upon a "poem/play/chorus" called "Sweeney Agonistes," which I had not read before.

Well, ten minutes later, I feel like my mind has been forced through a blender and turned to mush. Of course, I expect Eliot to be just the slightest bit bizzare and abstract... but this piece really pushes the limit. I have no idea what I just read. I'm not sure I even want to go back and read it a second time. Sure, "The Wasteland" is disturbing, but it is disturbing in order to make a point. "Sweeney Agonistes" is just... psychotic and scary.

So, I am posting here in hopes that one of you can elucidate this bit of "poetry" for me. Have either of your read it? Any thoughts on what Eliot was trying to convey? Was Eliot a drug user or psychotic???  

hey Coz, good to see you  

i haven't read Sweeney, but will give it a shot ... try back here in a couple days for a semi-intelligent response???

.... hope you enjoy your boards sabbatical ... (can dig that, we were away from all boards for about two months last spring, ourselves ..)

damn CoZ can't find a copy, even online.... sorry  

here's a short synopsis http://www.britannica.com/nobel/micro/734_30.html

prolly won't help