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"Memento mei, and in feyth ye shall not loose on it; not yet myche wyne on it, by God, who preserve yow." -- John Paston III
Who is Carl Selph?
Selph is an American poet born in Arkansas in 19-some-year-or-another. He holds a graduate degree in English Literature from Columbia University and has been a teacher in his time, although not recently. He has dealt extensively in antique furniture and decorator-accessories, but of late has been primarily interested in designing and constructing houses, paying expert attention to stone, marble, and wrought-iron components. He frequents artisans' work-shops and art exhibitions. A far-ranging traveller, he has lived most of his life abroad. Carl Selph is a well-spoken, knowledgeable, pleasant-natured, sharp-witted, hospitable gentleman with a long roster of devoted friends. And his dogs grow frantic in his absence.
Where does Carl Selph live?
North, east, south, or west of the borders. These days, mostly south.
Is he still writing poetry?
Yes. His most recent major achievement is the long free-verse poem "Adam Freeman," which occupied him throughout the year 2OOO. During the same period he also revived his interest in translating Spanish and Italian poems into English, usually selecting only those which appealed to him from time to time--however, as an exercise in discipline, he did confront all of Ugo Foscolo's sonnets, both famous and obscure. In the past decade, after a long hiatus during which he never entirely ceased writing, he has resumed publishing his work in poetry journals.
Why does Selph always quote Yeats?
He never does, although he highly esteems Yeats. Nor are Selph's themes, style, or philosophy Yeatsian. The Yeats tags appearing here are purely the fruit of this particular "reading" of Carl Selph's poetry and sprang into the site editor's mind during the paging of the material. They do not necessarily have any direct bearing on the significance Selph himself attributes to his work. The epigraph under the photo above is, instead, his own selection.
Which English-language poets does Carl Selph feel have influenced him most?
An interesting question. When put to him, he replied: "Robert Browning, T.S. Eliot of the rhymed quatrains, Yeats, E.A. Robinson, Edgar Lee Masters, Dylan Thomas (once upon a time), John Crowe Ransom, and possibly Richard Wilbur." But it should be noted that Selph possesses an extensive knowledge of English and American verse.
Where can I buy a book of Carl Selph's poems?
At the present moment the most comprehensive collection of Carl Selph's poetry available to the public is being presented on this website.
Poetry Index
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