Number 264: Robert Pinsky "ABC"

ABC

Any body can die, evidently. Few
Go happily, irradiating joy,

Knowledge, love. Many
Need oblivion, painkillers,
Quickest respite.

Sweet time unafflicted,
Various world:

X=your zenith.

--Robert Pinsky

Hap Notes: Pinsky's clever verse has a deep level in that the alphabet is one of the tools with which we first learn to communicate. It is elemental, a box of spoons (or knives), a set of crayons, a rack of spices for cooking, building blocks, and keys – skeleton, Allen, West, mon, piano, of the Kingdom, of Romulus or Enoch or Solomon and don. What we do with the keys is a very individual process. But, throughout one's life, the "keys" often define the world.

Here is Pinsky reading the poem aloud: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MzM-CJmlRI

Here's where we have talked about Pinskey before: happopoemouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/number-258-robert-pinsky-forgetting.html

It's Saturday (yay!) so here are some cartoon bits and songs:

Of course we have the double punch of the Jackson Five in their cartoon with the classic "ABC": www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsxn6fwLEk0

Here they are for Alphabits cereal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jWY27wt5y4&NR=1

and again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEvprxTpGMY&feature=related

Here's a charming Sesame Street madrigal-like alphabet: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eLPPxSdwJw&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL41F229CF76200FD5

And a Sesame Street Rube Goldberg-like alphabet: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B17OvPYM040

This is Lowkey with Faith SFX with "Alphabet Assassin": www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToZUIdbgqjE&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXePTEqEScmuH50jLcwSZ1Rf

Here's India's famous ZENiTH Dance Troupe performing at a wedding: www.youtube.com/user/zenithdanceinstitute?blend=9&ob=5#p/u/13/pLCEwdvKuAg

Alphabits with "magic sprinkles": www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv6XxS8-5MY

An oldie but a goodie from Letters To Cleo (remember them?): www.youtube.com/watch?v=whr5g88bSAA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD4E010CEDF27BFBD

And finally- this just cracks me up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp22m4PEZUA
(taken from "Family Guy")