There is a kind of tenderness or sensitivity within most artists (if we mean artists of the ‘traditional’ disciplines ). It is something inherent within the organism that helps to bring out these astonishing creations that stun the viewer/reader/listener, or whatever.

There is some kind of spark that is unique to the artist. Although one cannot say it is any different from the spark in other human beings.

And I feel terrible because I thought Astin was already dead, haha. I found this bit of info when I looked into it:

Astin currently teaches method acting and directing in the Writing Seminars Department at Johns Hopkins University, his alma mater. Commenting on his dual career, he said in 2007, “I don’t know one major university that has a known actor teaching every day.” He hopes to re-establish a drama major at the university, noting that he is one of only a handful to earn a drama degree from Hopkins.

Good on him.

The great artists, the ones everyone says are ahead of their time, all have one thing in common: they do not care for convention, or at least, an acceptable way of creating. It is rare for them to be accepted during their own lifetime. It isn’t always the case, but it is not an uncommon occurrence.

And sometimes, the work is so genuine, we can’t help but love it directly, no matter how unconventional its creation.

I’ve not really thought much about writing poems. Well, that is not necessarily true. I guess it is more accurate to say, I’ve never tried to ‘learn’ how to do it.

There are some posts on this site that might be similar to a poem, but I’ve never actively tried to learn a ‘right’ or ‘correct’ way to do it.

And thanks for the site compliments…

Ever notice that almost all the great artists were considered mad or have some type of emotional disorder or considered abnormal? Maybe that is because artists usually see the life from another angle and are upset that mainstream society seems more focused on the material or the shallow things.

I remember studying that poem in school. It is a powerful piece and you are right, John Astin does look like Poe in that piece. Cool.

P.S. This is an awesome site. *thumbs up!!*