Sunday, January 14, 2007

Celebrities

Why has celebrity become so fascinating? And why are we so interested in the private lives of celebrities? These are questions I find interesting and I’ve written a few poems on these kind of themes.

Yesterday, I read a poem by Tony Hoagland, from his collection What Narcissism Means to Me called Commercial for a Summer Night (the linebreaks are slightly different in the book version).

It’s a terrific poem with a great ending. I like the lines:

We were drinking beer with the sound off,
watching the figures on the screen--
the bony blonds, the lean- jawed guys
who decorate the perfume and the cars--

the pretty ones
the merchandise is wearing this year.

So the perfume wears the model. But the final line of the poem is, I think, ironic. The TV watchers are part of a "perfect commercial".

3 comments:

The Lettershaper said...

As a poet, and an avid reader, I have to say that I very much enjoyed my leisurely stroll through your blog...it was time well spent; entertaining and enlightening.

neepheid said...

Why has celebrity become so fascinating? And why are we so interested in the private lives of celebrities?

I started a comment, but it started to look like an interesting idea for a piece of writing, so I swiped it for my own use. Sorry, but thanks for the spark.

Suffice to say that I do not watch Celebrity Big Brother, and I have never bought a copy of OK!, Heat or Hello. I have enough to worry about keeping my own house in order without concerning myself about how the "haves" spend their ill-gotten millions.

Rob said...

with hammer and tong... - thanks. Glad you enjoyed reading.

neepheid - I hope your spark begins to burn. I'm happy to have been of service.