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Writers, poets, unite!

Knoxville is gaining its own literary anthology this year. Works centered in Knoxville, either physically or spiritually, by Knoxville writers past and present will be showcased in a quality paperbound edition to be published late this year under the auspices of Metro Pulse and Publisher Brian Conley. Writers who live, or have lived at some point, in Knoxville are encouraged to submit poetry, fiction, and/or nonfiction pieces to this collection.

The anthology, with a working title of Knoxville Bound, will be edited by local attorney Dennis McCarthy. Permission has been obtained from the James Agee estate to include any relevant pieces by the late Knoxville author, and pieces have already been received from established authors such as David Madden and Kelly Cherry. Several other notable authors and essayists with local connections have been invited to contribute. The project is a labor of love by a small group of writers and readers living in Knoxville.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2004.

Complete guidelines are here.

Questions may be directed to Judy Loest, 525-5168 or Dennis McCarthy, 525-0855.

MP Work at its Worst

I have loyally read Metro Pulse for eight years. Last week's edition was unduly harsh, intolerant, and the worst work I have ever seen out of your staff. Barry Henderson's accusation that Christians believe they, as "proponents of Christianity should be allowed to set themselves up as the Taliban of this nation" is bizarre. It is an oxymoron to link Christianity and the Taliban. Christians are commanded to do the best for their neighbors, both Christian and non-Christian. No excuses. The Taliban damaged their own people and hated "infidels" even more.

Jack Neely, who does a great job as Knoxville's "unofficial historian," was unnecessarily cruel or starving for material, when he dissected Lee Greenwood's song in a 49-paragraph article of non-constructive criticism (space usually dedicated to a real social issue or injustice). One does not critique music lyrics with a Harbrace. Music, like poetry, is exempt from Punctuation 101. The emotion it stirs or the picture it paints in your mind is its measure.

The most vicious and offensive (to me) parts of the lyric critique were the 11 paragraphs Mr. Neely wrote to support his theory that freedom comes as a result of legislation/treaties/God, not, as Mr. Greenwood's lyrics suggest, as a result of "men who died to give that right to me." Legislation and treaties are dandy. I'm not eloquent enough to explain the true relationship between freedom/sacrifice, so I'll borrow from those who were.

"Justice without force is impotent." —Pascal

"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated."—Martin Luther King

Pieces of paper are worthless without strong men/women behind them willing to force actions to comply with the words. And that, Mr. Neely, is up to each one of us, not just soldiers. Each day brings a new opportunity/sacrifice to secure/enforce freedom for someone. I don't know what was in Mr. Greenwood's heart as he wrote the lyrics, but I believe post-9/11, he is truly trying to express love/thanks in his medium. I hesitate to call these words lyrics, but the words from the song below are so powerful both in their original setting, but also when applied in the context of people who died fighting/enforcing freedom. "Drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe."

Metro Pulse is part of the unofficial fourth branch of the government. Keep personal gripes short and to the point. There is plenty of newsworthy material in Knoxville for you to cover.

Sonya Sharp Wilson
Oliver Springs

Editor's note: The Gamut story is typically dedicated to essays that are entertainment oriented.