Lemony on Poetry

If you were to walk into my living room on some weekend night, that would be creepy. But before I stood up alarmed and demanded to know what you were doing there, you would see me in a big black leather chair that, I’ve been told, is too big for the room. I’d be all dressed up, and reading poetry.

So opens "Happy, Snappy, Sappy." Daniel Handler, author (as Lemony Snicket) of perhaps my favorite series of novels (for any age) ever, A Series of Unfortunate Events, has written an essay for Poetry Magazine. I discovered it at the website of The Poetry Foundation and whether you're a fan of his or not, it's a good read.

As if I didn't worship Mr. Handler enough, he goes off and hits a home run by ruminating on poetry. You'll definitely have to read it yourself, but in his search to find the right time and place to read poems, he ends up discovering that the best place is home and the best time is when waiting for your wife to get ready for a party...or perhaps more appropriately and inclusively, anytime you have a free minute.

You might argue that Handler doesn't exactly say anything monumental in this piece, but he's a dazzling, gifted writer and I enjoyed reading his thoughts on one of my favorite pastimes. Let me know what you think.