The New Yorker Gets It Right

Himself!

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2008/02/11/080211crbo_books_updike

 

Updike sings of the Great Unsung!

 

Today's lesson is from Jem Casey, The Poet of The Pick

When things go wrong and will not come right,
Though you do the best you can,
When life looks black as the hour of night -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

When money's tight and is hard to get
And your horse has also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say that you need a change,
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

When food is scarce and your larder bare
And no rashers grease your pan,
When hunger grows as your meals are rare -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

In times of trouble and lousy strife,
You still have got a darlint plan,
You still can turn to a brighter life -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN

 

I am 734 issues behind on The New Yorker. There is just no good way to keep up.

 

A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

 

Stick with it, then. You're just about to get to the part where they hire Tina Brown and start publishing photographs.

 

Great, now I'm only 733 issues behind.

 

And I'm up to June 2001 on my Vanity Fairs. President Clinton apparently pardoned Marc Rich and messed up all the really good dinner parties.

 

I hear Rosanne may guest edit an issue soon! I'm so excited! Do let us know how it turns out!

 

Slate gets it.

http://www.slate.com/id/2184551

 

I haven't read At Swim in about 25 years. Time to dust it off along with The Best of Myles.