Best out-of-context snippet of academic prose this month, yes/no?
To an accumulation of misfortunes within regular stanza length, another line,and misfortune, are added.
I've been reading it and re-reading it for eight minutes. I'm hypnotised. Maybe the flu* has something to do with that, but I maintain there's a strange and fragile beauty in this line.
ETA: WAIT, no. This one wins the much more prestigious 'holy hell, did I just READ that?' award:
[A] spirited Negro version of Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight from Texas is not injured as a ballad because the narrative is turned, according to a common habit with the coloured race, into direct discourse.
...well. That'll stop you falling asleep at work, flu or no flu.
* - It's probably a cold, but I'm upgrading it to flu for the sympathy vote and to stress the fact that I have been ill for a week. I do not get ill for a week. One of the benefits of spending half my childhood in hospitals was developing the immune system of a Cylon, for heaven's sake. I really resent this, and so 'flu' it is.
Wow. The first one is brilliant. Just brilliant. I can see why you're hypnotised. Am I right in thinking this is not from a modern critical text?
Ehh...?
You can explain over noodles and stuff when I see you. Bring notes, cos I ain't never gonna recollect that. I'm tired and hungry and why am I watching Air Crash Investigations? That's better, some DS9. Ohh, Garak, I like him...
[is faint with tiredness and hunger, see above]
I need some chicken chili ramen STAT!