Clerical Conversations (Fourth Letter)

The following letter is part of an ongoing conversation between two clerics, Professor Recamundus de Gelgadongo and Professor Cesario de Torium. The correspondence, which began as a rebuke of the work of a poem by Prof. Cesario for being too dangerous for laymen consumption, has shifted to direct attacks on each other’s bodies of work.

The most recent communication from Recamundus to Cesario can be found here.

Cleric Recamundus,

As I advance in age, I must confess that most of the time I have certain troubles with reading text without the use of reading stones. To my great surprise, however, it did not take the use of such a stone to be able to see clearly the intent of your most recent letter. In fact, after the moment of clarity hit me, I realized that there was more than meets the eye in your prior communication as well.

Upon reading again the communication you have sent through courier, I have come to the conclusion that there is an underlying subtext of jealousy in your words. This came to me at great surprise, as you expect, because your words have always seemed to be precisely what was written on the page and nothing more. Nowhere in reading your work have I found such a great example of the use of subtext, in fact, and I wonder if this is a new skill you have learned? Perhaps if you were able to see the world as clearly as me, in my “high tower”, as you put it so bluntly, you never felt there was a need for such literary devices, but I digress…

I am now able to see the meaning behind your words so clearly, that I am considering reviewing your work to try and find hidden meaning in the words, after all. The only question I have for you is at what point did you start considering me a threat to your esteem? I am truly honored by your consideration, however, and I accept the role of rival graciously. However, to compare our work is simply akin to comparing fish to poultry. My work is like poultry, succulent and satisfying as your work is like fish, complete with its natural qualities and its unique aroma.

Shall we truly compare my earliest work with your magnum opus? To do so is to compare the qualities of a man (you) with the unrefined skills of an adolescent (me at that time). Even though the man may be the same height and physique as the boy, it is hardly fair to make such a comparison, wouldn’t you agree? Even if my early work is still sung in throughout the towns and cities, it is still just that – my earliest work.

What surprises me, however, is how little of your earliest work of which I have even been made aware. While it is true, you have earned much renown for some of your most recent work, from myself as well, I simply do not have much knowledge of your early works.

And yet, you know even my most basic poetry. Funny thing that, how even the work of which I am least proud has found its way to your quarters.

I have dispatched several students on a mission of discovery, in order that I may finally be able to enjoy your most basic works. Surely, the words contained within must be more impressive than my ‘poems about butterflies and coney rabbits‘, as you so kindly put it. Consider me your greatest fanatic, as I will do whatever it takes to be able to see more clearly the entirety of your body of work.

In the meantime, please consider this another denouncement of your request for me to denounce my poem.

Professor Cesario de Torium