there are days, when I say to myself: “nothing will amaze me”. that’s a bold statement, huh? well indeed it is, and let me briefly tell you why.
for the last two days we’ve been rehearsing some music for a poetical soiree. my friend Michael has written it, and together with him and two cellos we’re performing it tonight. last evening during our rehearsal, the poet came to listen. the thing is, that professionally he’s a dental surgeon. nothing unusual to be a dental surgeon and a poet, though.
so we continued playing and he was listening, and nodding his head. we played all the pieces and asked if he wants us to repeat something or if he has any suggestions. he said he didn’t.
— allright then, lets meet tomorrow evening at 5 pm — said Michael.
— I won’t be able to come earlier than a quarter to 7 pm, becuase I’m presenting a text at Hołówka’s seminar, remember? — I replied.
— ok, that’s fine. just try not to be late.
— excuse me, but perhaps I could call mr. Hołówka and ask him to exempt you from that? — the poet suddenly interrupted.
— how come? — I asked surprised.
— oh becuase mr Hołówka was my PhD thesis promoter.
— you mean you have a PhD in philosophy? — surprised and rising.
— that’s right. in ethics.
so you see, now it’s not enough to be just a poet. not enough to be a poet and a dental surgeon. but with a PhD in philosophy… well, you can do everything then.