This is Columbia University Commencement Day. Thirty-nine years ago, my Barnard graduating class marched (?) across Broadway to attend Columbia's University-wide ceremonies. Later in the day, we returned to the Barnard lawn (and now there's not much left of it :-o!) to attend our own much more intimate ceremony.
How can I not remember my favorite professor, today? How can I not create a new blog; with my first post being a little poem I dared to improvise, based on my favorite Latin lyric poets to whom "McDreamy" of the academic world introduced his students, semester after semester?
In the midst of a project for--yes--Columbia University. In the midst of clinging to my last in a string of Sony VAIO computers (and finally tackling Windows 8.1: a "Nefandissimus Acervus Metallicus" in its own right).
Why not?
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Neque Deus, Neque Machina: Neither Paean, Nor Diatribe
What's
a former Classicist waiting for an over-the-top outsourcing session to
crackle its way toward some kind of conclusion to do? (Note I didn't
write, "inexorable.") Gently--oh, so gently--spoof her favorite Latin
lyric poets, that's what.
By the way: Happy Valentine's Day!
NEQUE DEUS, NEQUE MAQUINA (Neither god, nor machine)
CRUCIA ME, O NEFANDISSIME (You torture me, o vilest metal box!)
ACERVE METALLICE!
MISERA PUELLA, (Unhappy girl,
IN SELLA SEDES, (you sit in your chair,
PARVUM UMBRACULUM INTUERIS. (staring at a tiny screen.)
QUID EST HAEC RES DIABOLICA (What is this diabolical thing
OCULO TUO VITRUM ILLINERIT? (that causes your eyes to glaze over?)
NEQUE DEUS, NEQUE MACHINA (It is neither a god, nor a machine.)
EST.
POTIUS, CARA DEA, (Rather, dear goddess,
VOLUNTAS TUA (it is your will
QUAE DIEM CEPIT! (that has taken the bull by the horns--literally, that has
(seized the day!)
Mihi ignoscite, O carissimi poetae!
FOR STEELE COMMAGER 6/25/05
