Professor Vega's Response


Dear Seņor Vega,

I am so happy to be able to contact you via e-mail. I would like to know if you would be willing to express your opinion concerning some of my nice poetry. My name is Vladimir Mokolokov, and I have submitted several poems to you. Do you have a favorite? Do you recommend that I consider publishing my poetry? I feel that I could be quite successful. Please let me know how you feel. Also, I would welcome any suggestions or advice that you might have.

Thank you again.

Your buddy,
Vlad


Dear Vlad,

Thank you for your message and for the wonderful poems you have left in my owl note holder. I have read them but was (and am) struggling to find time to write a proper response. I have been keeping them in a growing bundle. I would encourage you to continue writing. There is something serious and weighty in your writing that I like very much. Nevertheless, you don't allow enough air between the lines. I'll explain what I mean when we meet in person. My schedule is very busy this semester (I am teaching both here and at the School of the Arts in West Palm Beach) but I will always find time to meet with a fellow poet. Why don't you call me and we'll set up a meeting. Tuesday and Friday afternoons are best for me.

Best Wishes,

E. J. Vega


Dear Seņor Vega,
Aqui hay un poema para ti.

Revenge

Truncate the progeny of vermin
Cede not to capitulate their king
They contemplate the extirpation of our kind...
Or kine
The wretched filth!
Writhing, foul stench of their obtrusion
Stapelia, get thee out.




Dear Vlad,

Thanks for sending the poem above. It reminds me of the Dada poets of the early part of this century. The meaning is not at all clear, but the violent anarchist tone is unmistakable. Have you read Ezra Pound's Personae? This poem echoes the poetic postures that Pound takes, especially when he imitates Roman poets. On revision, I would open up the lines. They seem, at this juncture, a mite too hermetic. I don't think the tone would at all suffer.

Stay Well,
E. J. Vega


Update!




Dear Seņor Vega,

I am sending you my webpage address, because I have included some personal info that you may find interesting. I have also included some information relating to our e-mail correspondences. If you have any objections, or are in any way offended, please notify me and I will remove that info. immediately. Please be aware, however, that everything posted on my website is solely for humorous/entertaining purposes, and is not to be taken seriously.
Thank you, and let me know what you think.

Sincerely,
Vlad




Dear Vlad,

Frankly, I knew about the Cary/Vlad stuff earlier than you might suppose. I had called the registrar asking if such a person named Vlad was attending the college. They said no. Then, after attending the SGA (Student Government Association) awards dinner, I received a message from him telling me he'd been there and complimented me on my date. Cary had been at that dinner. Later still, Vlad's messages were sent via Cary's server. I knew Cary to be an accomplished writer because I'd read an article he'd written for the Beachcomber's (PBCC's student newspaper) Op-Ed section. It didn't take a genius to see they were both one and the same. My preference is for students to drop by my office and discuss their poems with me honestly. If Cary would like to do that, I'd love to meet with him. But I will not be responding to any more of Vlad's messages.

E. J. Vega