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November 26, 2001
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Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse, Were it not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair? Words have always seemed like the wrong medium for saying goodbye. Better a squeeze of the hand, a long look with dropping eyes, a salt-sprayed wave from the stern deck. So that's what this is, my lovelies; I'm signing off. Though I've written Naughty Bits for nearly four years, this 182nd column is my last. I say these words quietly, gaze averted, and with the harbor mist about perhaps you can't see the similar misting of my eyes.
But it's there. It's been a beautiful thing, to write about the books I love and try to show why, to laugh and play and get serious and get introspective all in the same column. I thank you all, regulars and first-timers alike, for giving me an audience, and spending some of your time seeing how I spend mine. So many times I've wondered how much we humans can reach each other; from your emails and letters you've convinced me we can do more than I ever hoped, and you made the whole process both joyous and meaningful. Many thanks.
To end, we turn back on ourselves, like the Jormungandr snake of Old Norse myth. Here the circle closes around Dante, and his scene of reading in the Inferno, the first naughty bit I ever featured. Francesca is explaining to Dante how she and her lover Paolo (the "this one / Who from me never will be taken" of the last lines) were sent to hell. Their affair was adulterous, and it was a bit that sent them over the edge. They were reading the prose Lancelot, and it became a bit much. The book fell from their hands, and no more did they read that day. And so too, for us: a kiss farewell, and the book is dropped. |
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Introduction ©2001 Jack Murnighan and Nerve.com, Inc. |
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Commentarium (26 Comments)
Oh for God's sake. Jaaaaaack, what am I supposed to do now when I need to procrastinate? At least take the sting out of it and promise your readers that you'll be putting some of your own fiction on Nerve, since a complete absence of your voice on this site would be pretty crummy. As an avid reader, I'd like to offer a big thanks for all the effort you've put in over the past few years. I've enjoyed the Naughty Bits and wish you luck on whatever it is that's pulled you away.
Jack,
I can do without the naughty bits, I can find those on my own. My concern is for your short stories....With Lisa Carver's farwell to the Lisa Diaries, there was a notation at the bottom with what she will be doing next.. I did not see that with you. Your stories stick in my mind, more vivid than scenes from movies, like the emotions that well up in Rooster, or the solititude in "three shades of Longing"
Those, my dear, I could not do without...
GDE
the world will be a lot less sexy, and a lot less smart, without your thoughts regularly in it for all to read. thanks for everything.
sufferin' succotash-- so sorry you're finished; i love this column. i hope you're moving on to other exciting things that will be published elsewhere, that i may read them.
jack, thank you for lighting a candle within us all. your prose will be missed. carla
A sad day... your column was the best, Jack.
Say it ain't so.....
Paula
say it isnt so !!!!!!
I've love your words for so long. I will miss them.
Laurel
I'm very sorry to hear that this is your last contribution here at Nerve. I've enjoyed your articles and stories very much.
Thank you for your intelligent and humourous thoughts expressed so well.
Happy landings.
hi all. thanks so much for the warm words. i promise to keep writing all i can, even if it's not for nerve. who could not, with such a kind audience? -- jack
Jeez Jack what happened? I looked to be entertained and was hit with your leaving. I sincerly hope all is
well regardless and look forward to seeing you in the shop again, hope you don't forget to bring your book.
I would just buy one but I'm looking to the pride of the artist himself giving me a copy. Just another fan asking for favors, Dwight
Oh, Jack. I wish I had something eloquent to say at your good bye. 'Tis a sad thing for you have restored passion to this old heart and mind. You will be missed. Thank you for the inspiration you've provided.
I'll keep my eye out for you!
It won't be the same without you, Jack. But no harbour mist for me; for a loss like this, I'll weep directly into my beer.
This column is awesome. You'll be missed. Have a good life, dude.
"Jack's Naughty Bits" is one of my favorite features of Nerve! I am really disappointed to see you go. But, if you must really go, "Dante" was a good way to end. * sigh* I will really miss this feature. If you are continuing writing, though, I would really like to follow your work. Hope to hear from you more.
~a fan.
But where are you going. Why? You've brought us too much bliss and sadness to leave so suddenly. Kiss.
Dear Jack,
Loved the Dante piece, but what I REALLY must know is WHY you are leaving???? Your column has opened my eyes to SO MUCH lovely literature & poetry...and you seem like such a sensitive and thoughtful man. Why leave now, when there are so many others who have yet to discover you and the door to erotica that you open??
You are a tremendous asset to Nerve, especially for those of us who are over 40 and appreciate the maturity of your perspectives on life, love, and sensuality that went far beyond sheer hormonal surges and the clever yet somewhat immature stories about sexuality that are so prevalant these days.
Best wishes to you in your future endevors, whatever they may be. You will be missed.
Please reply if possible...
Sincerely,
aubade
so long, jack.
Thanks Jack, I've enjoyed it.
- Bert Archer
Dear Dirty Jack,
I will miss your fabulous literary romps through history. I have been reading your column for a couple of years now and just as I was getting more and more excited by your wit and enthusiam you "drop the book" and say goodbye. Good luck with your adventures, and please keep writing!
One of your many fans...
Sarah Lou
dear sweetest fans,
it's not my choice to leave, just the economic reality of the current dot.com market. but thank you for all your warmth, and i hope you'll check out the naughty bit archives if you need a quick fix. all love, jack.
"My friend Rufus is part of this internet thing, e-mail him your stuff", was the advice I was given. And like all eager hacks, I checked out the site...and discovered Jack's naughty bits. Week after humbling and inspiring week, I have quietly read every word of his column (and have even disovered the books he mentions and quotes from).
It sounds pathetic to grovel and say,"don't go!", but here I am, kneeling in fromt of the computer, saying, I shall pay for the damned site if he were to stay.
If there actually is a 'Rufus', please, do something!
I am sorry that this is your last contribution. I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing.
Thanks, Jack, and godspeed. -Jay
I'm going to miss you Jack! It was four years ago this spring that I contacted you with help on an English term paper about deviant sexuality. I've been keeping up with your article since then, and I even purchased your book. Thanks for all the intellectual procrastinating your column provided!
Full marks! Good luck.
Now you say something