These exchanges are definitely bloggingworthy, I can't help feeling ....
from Gargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com>towhatshotkolkata@timesgroup.com
date Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 2:33 PM
subject Re: contribution to 'POETRY' section
mailed by gmail.com
Jun 22
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to draw your attention to a poem that I contributed to your revered newspaper for publication in the 'Poetry' section of your Saturday supplementary, 'What's Hot, What's Not'. It was published on Saturday, 21st June on page 29 of the said supplementary. However, I was shocked to see that the poem had little of the originality that I had conferred upon it. It had been whimsically edited, sections had been randomly excised and the entire last stanza had been left out in the printed version. While it was definitely a delightful sensation to discover that my attempt at versification had been considered worthy of publication, it was sad to find that your editorial team needed to tamper with my amateur literary efforts.
I provide, in the space below, the original piece and following it, your (mis-)printed version. I do hope you shall respect sentiments regarding one's own creative efforts in future publications, be it that of other aspiring writers or my own. While, as a publisher, you reserve the right of making any changes you may consider necessary, I think you will also concede that it is your moral responsibility to let the author know of the said changes, prior to the act of publication.
MY VERSION -
- ENLIGHTENMENT
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious
Sometimes seem lies
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worth
I must needs despise
And clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,
They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
Perhaps, perceiving this despair,
They hope it is too late to quit.
One dawn of my own,
I shall burn these to ashes
And will dare to disown
Defy the burden of words
Depreciate all those deeds
The harvest of worthless weeds
I have, in childhood, insensibly sown,
That would bind me to duty,
Doom me to desire,
Destine me to devotion.
Some day, I shall decide to come into my own,
To answer all questions my self has known.
My life no longer a loan.
YOUR (MIS)PRINTED VERSION
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious;
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worth
I despised.
I clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,
They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
They hope it is too late to quit.
It would be a kind gesture on your part to re-publish the poem in its original form. It should, indeed, serve to re-affirm our respect in the integrity of all that 'The Times of India' represents to its loyal readers.
Yours gratefully,
GARGI MANDAL - MUKHERJEE
22 – 06 - 2008
On 5/30/08, Gargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com> wrote:
ENLIGHTENMENT
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious
Sometimes seem lies
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worthI must needs despise
And clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
Perhaps, perceiving this despair,
They hope it is too late to quit.
One dawn of my own,
I shall burn these to ashes
And will dare to disown
Defy the burden of words
Depreciate all those deeds
The harvest of worthless weeds
I have, in childhood, insensibly sown,
That would bind me to duty,Doom me to desire,
Destine me to devotion.
Some day, I shall decide to come into my own,
To answer all questions my self has known.
My life no longer a loan.
-- Gargi Mandal-Mukherjee
THE REPLY :
from whatshotkolkata <whatshotkolkata@timesgroup.com>toGargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com>
date Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 6:18 AM
subject Re: contribution to 'POETRY' section
6:18 AM (3 hours ago)
Dear Gargi,
I don't know if you have already been replied to, but I wanted to anyway.I'm not sure who was in charge of editing, and it is perfectly justifiable for you to be angry, but what you must understand is that we are a paper that runs on limited space and deadlines.It is impossible to publish poems in their original form if they are to be published at all, given the format of the page. Also, given the terrible time constraints we have to function under, it is virtually impossible to inform each entrant of editorial changes. You must understand that editing here is not aimed at hurting sentiments or randomly slashing contributions, but to ensure that they get published at all.What you have said will be kept in mind, though, and, hopefully, will not stop you from writing in further.
Apologies and regards.
The intriguing thing is the absence of any individual name at the end.
However, a hearty thanks from me to that anonymous someone who at least showed the decency of standing up to and responding to my ire.
from Gargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com>towhatshotkolkata@timesgroup.com
date Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 2:33 PM
subject Re: contribution to 'POETRY' section
mailed by gmail.com
Jun 22
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to draw your attention to a poem that I contributed to your revered newspaper for publication in the 'Poetry' section of your Saturday supplementary, 'What's Hot, What's Not'. It was published on Saturday, 21st June on page 29 of the said supplementary. However, I was shocked to see that the poem had little of the originality that I had conferred upon it. It had been whimsically edited, sections had been randomly excised and the entire last stanza had been left out in the printed version. While it was definitely a delightful sensation to discover that my attempt at versification had been considered worthy of publication, it was sad to find that your editorial team needed to tamper with my amateur literary efforts.
I provide, in the space below, the original piece and following it, your (mis-)printed version. I do hope you shall respect sentiments regarding one's own creative efforts in future publications, be it that of other aspiring writers or my own. While, as a publisher, you reserve the right of making any changes you may consider necessary, I think you will also concede that it is your moral responsibility to let the author know of the said changes, prior to the act of publication.
MY VERSION -
- ENLIGHTENMENT
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious
Sometimes seem lies
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worth
I must needs despise
And clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,
They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
Perhaps, perceiving this despair,
They hope it is too late to quit.
One dawn of my own,
I shall burn these to ashes
And will dare to disown
Defy the burden of words
Depreciate all those deeds
The harvest of worthless weeds
I have, in childhood, insensibly sown,
That would bind me to duty,
Doom me to desire,
Destine me to devotion.
Some day, I shall decide to come into my own,
To answer all questions my self has known.
My life no longer a loan.
YOUR (MIS)PRINTED VERSION
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious;
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worth
I despised.
I clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,
They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
They hope it is too late to quit.
It would be a kind gesture on your part to re-publish the poem in its original form. It should, indeed, serve to re-affirm our respect in the integrity of all that 'The Times of India' represents to its loyal readers.
Yours gratefully,
GARGI MANDAL - MUKHERJEE
22 – 06 - 2008
On 5/30/08, Gargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com> wrote:
ENLIGHTENMENT
These tiresome ties
Tenuous and tedious
Sometimes seem lies
I must have conjured up
On some terrible day
When my own self worthI must needs despise
And clutch, cling, hold on
To a more solid soul
Who should cure my heartache
Render me whole.
Today, though,They stifle, they stilt,
They will me to wilt:
A figment of their creation
A fragment of imagination
I have connived and built.
I sink into such silt.
Perhaps, perceiving this despair,
They hope it is too late to quit.
One dawn of my own,
I shall burn these to ashes
And will dare to disown
Defy the burden of words
Depreciate all those deeds
The harvest of worthless weeds
I have, in childhood, insensibly sown,
That would bind me to duty,Doom me to desire,
Destine me to devotion.
Some day, I shall decide to come into my own,
To answer all questions my self has known.
My life no longer a loan.
-- Gargi Mandal-Mukherjee
THE REPLY :
from whatshotkolkata <whatshotkolkata@timesgroup.com>toGargi Mandal <mandalgargi81@gmail.com>
date Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 6:18 AM
subject Re: contribution to 'POETRY' section
6:18 AM (3 hours ago)
Dear Gargi,
I don't know if you have already been replied to, but I wanted to anyway.I'm not sure who was in charge of editing, and it is perfectly justifiable for you to be angry, but what you must understand is that we are a paper that runs on limited space and deadlines.It is impossible to publish poems in their original form if they are to be published at all, given the format of the page. Also, given the terrible time constraints we have to function under, it is virtually impossible to inform each entrant of editorial changes. You must understand that editing here is not aimed at hurting sentiments or randomly slashing contributions, but to ensure that they get published at all.What you have said will be kept in mind, though, and, hopefully, will not stop you from writing in further.
Apologies and regards.
The intriguing thing is the absence of any individual name at the end.
However, a hearty thanks from me to that anonymous someone who at least showed the decency of standing up to and responding to my ire.
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