Where can I find this poem?

Question

I read it, once, a long time ago, and now I can't remember the poet's name, the title of the poem or where I first read it. All I can remember, I will list here. I have searched the Internet to no avail, but maybe someone else will have more success.

It is about the poet & an English teacher, who is so obsessed with the rules of language (specificly "the container for the thing contained") that she can't see the real beauty in literature. They walk through fantastical literary landscapes and the poet tries to draw the teacher's attention to these wonders, but all she does is peer around with her binoculars, searching for a "container for the thing contained", and being thoroughly delighted when she catches a glimpse of one. Eventually, the poet gives up.

I think that Sherwood Forest is mentioned, possibly also the Forest of Arden. I would love to get hold of a copy of this poem, can anyone help me?

On second thoughts, it may not be a poem. It might be a short story. Sorry to be so vague...

Answer 1

As Palamides hunted the Questing Beast, she hunted the Figure of Speech. She
hunted it through the clangorous halls of Shakespeare and through the green
forests of Scott.
-- James Thurber, "Here Lies Miss Groby", in "The Thurber Carnival"

Try amazon.com for the actual book

Answer 2

It was James Thurber but fraid I dont know where to find poem. Try http://home.earthlink.net/~ritter/thurber/

Answer 3

I also caught a link to "Here Lies Miss Groby" - you might do better in a (real) library.

Answer 4

as above darling