While the poetry of Ernie Brookings has been finding an ever-
growing
audience, it is often his brief statements, answers, and
quotations that I find most striking. As with his verses, they are
always filled with a surprising and inventive mix of logic, faith,
and humor.
This is from the third and final volume of Ernest's words
(see also issues #125 and #129).
WHAT'S THE POINT OF OWNING A CADILLAC? A Cadillac has a very long history. And the car is generally sturdy, and eventually, after use, it may require repairs, depending upon events. WHAT WAS THE "LEAVE IT TO BEAVER" TV SHOW ABOUT? All work could be left to Beaver. WHAT'S THE MOST FUN YOU EVER HAD? Dancing. WHERE DO WISEGUYS COME FROM? 1. A mother's womb. Every human being is originally from a mother's womb. 2. Education. Depending on the Type of knowledge, it could beInterviews conducted at the Duplex Nursing Home
technical school or college; by correspondence or attending classes. WHAT CAUSES HEADACHES? Desperation. TELL ME ABOUT SHAKESPEARE. Was he an actor? I don't recall the dates, but he was quite ancient. WHO IS MISTER ED? What was his assignment? IT VARIES. I don't know. HOW DOES A TELEVISION WORK? Power in the tubes and it's prerecorded by camera. Correct? WHAT'S YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW? I don't recall the title, but it was a western. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A THOUSAND PENNIES? I'd change it into bills; more compact. WHAT ABOUT TAXES? Taxes? They're about normal. They depend upon the nature of the property and the location. And other factors, too, such as fire hazards - if there's a fire hazard it should be taken into account. There should be protection against fire hazards, protection equipment in the building. If the fire did occur the fire protection equipment would lessen the hazard until the fire department arrived. If the building is near the ocean there might be more damage from a hurricane or high waves. There's no protection against earthquakes. They can be predicted with seismagraphs - they have a seismagraph at Harvard University Have you been there? Earthquakes can be predicted with seismagraphs, but there is no protection against them and they can be disastrous. Of earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, earthquakes are the most disastrous.
