NPPF: Notes C.1-4 - C.42

[Elainemmbell at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/23/2003 11:16:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
paul.mackin at verizon.net writes:

> "a bird knocking itself out": 

also, this phrase is colloquial for "trying really hard" (without success 
usually implied, as in, "Go ahead, knock yourself out")  Maybe implication of 
hopelessness of task--either the task of poetry or the task of interpreting 
poetry, or of Shade/Kinbote's life itself?  
Elaine M.M. Bell, Writer
(860) 523-9225
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