Thursday, October 30, 2008

Eunoia

eunoiaEunoia is the shortest word in English containing all five vowels—and it means ‘beautiful thinking.’ It is also the title of Canadian poet Christian Bök's book of fiction in which each chapter uses only one vowel. Mr Bök believes his book proves that each vowel has its own personality, and demonstrates the flexibility of the English language.”

~ “Beautiful Vowels,” BBC Radio 4 Today (11.30.08)

From Chapter E 

for René Crevel

Westerners revere the Greek legends. Versemen retell the represented events, the resplendent scenes, where, hellbent, the Greek freemen seek revenge whenever Helen, the new-wed empress, weeps. Restless, she deserts her fleece bed where, detested, her wedded regent sleeps. When she remembers Greece, her seceded demesne, she feels wretched, left here, bereft, her needs never met. She needs rest; nevertheless, her demented fevers render her sleepless (her sleeplessness enfeebles her). She needs help; nevertheless her stressed nerves render her cheerless (her cheerlessness enfetters her).

[Arigato Dōshin!]