Today's Journal of Note:
Locus Nocus
Poet and Poem of the Issue:
Gary Lain's "A Plague of Cities"
Although I did not find them all so, Lain's was an excellent poetic event. I say event because this is an interplay of image, text, and sound. Colors, movement, and music work together and against each other simultaneously in a space that is not a space about the change of space and the desire to change it back.
What does this mean for poetry? Is it still poetry?
Mark Doty says, "scraps of cell-phone recitations into private ethers."
Yes.
So what does it mean to read a screen, ephemeral diction, TV format, with language already condensed, then add layers of links to more text like fillings and icings? (Click here. Click here. Click here.) Now add images. Animation and sound.
Decorative or meaningful?
In an era where confusion is respected, purposefully induced and highly regarded, sought out even, art has to reflect it, right? We still arrive at truth, yes?
I am engaged.
Back to Being Weird
Today's Poet of Note:
Alan Lee Birkelbach
Texas Poet Laureate 2005
Book: Alan Birkelbach: New and Selected Works (The Poet Laureate series from TCU Press)
In December of 2006, I was invited by Peggy Zuleika Lynch, founder of Poetry in the Arts, to write and then read a poem about human rights in Austin, TX. She explained that readings such as this would simultaneously be taking place all over the world. Well, I had to say "yes."
Due to my disability with directions, I was a little late, so I missed some of the first readers. Afterwards, a man in boots and a bolo approached me and said he really enjoyed my poetry. I learn that he's a former Texas Poet Laureate, and although I didn't hear him read, I'm even more flattered. He gives me (yes, gives me) his book. After recovering from the amazement at his skill and delight in his wonderfully odd brain, I contacted Alan and a friendship began. He has encouraged and helped me in many ways, and our friendship, as such often do, has led to other invaluable friendships. There are no accidents, ya'll.
Alan's work is delightfully weird and wonderfully refreshing. His work features a quiet yet authoritative voice--calm, filled with an iota of wonder, a pinch of mystery, and yet a bit of "well, of course." Just as poets observe everything, he not only misses nothing, but attaches his attention to things one normally wouldn't. And the stories of his poems are absolutely odd, but we never doubt him.
He will be reading and signing books at 7 PM at the Barnes and Noble at 2201 S Interstate 35 E in Denton, TX, on Friday, Jan. 25 (Robert Burns birthday). You should make a special effort to check him out.
Alan Lee Birkelbach
Texas Poet Laureate 2005
Book: Alan Birkelbach: New and Selected Works (The Poet Laureate series from TCU Press)
In December of 2006, I was invited by Peggy Zuleika Lynch, founder of Poetry in the Arts, to write and then read a poem about human rights in Austin, TX. She explained that readings such as this would simultaneously be taking place all over the world. Well, I had to say "yes."
Due to my disability with directions, I was a little late, so I missed some of the first readers. Afterwards, a man in boots and a bolo approached me and said he really enjoyed my poetry. I learn that he's a former Texas Poet Laureate, and although I didn't hear him read, I'm even more flattered. He gives me (yes, gives me) his book. After recovering from the amazement at his skill and delight in his wonderfully odd brain, I contacted Alan and a friendship began. He has encouraged and helped me in many ways, and our friendship, as such often do, has led to other invaluable friendships. There are no accidents, ya'll.
Alan's work is delightfully weird and wonderfully refreshing. His work features a quiet yet authoritative voice--calm, filled with an iota of wonder, a pinch of mystery, and yet a bit of "well, of course." Just as poets observe everything, he not only misses nothing, but attaches his attention to things one normally wouldn't. And the stories of his poems are absolutely odd, but we never doubt him.
He will be reading and signing books at 7 PM at the Barnes and Noble at 2201 S Interstate 35 E in Denton, TX, on Friday, Jan. 25 (Robert Burns birthday). You should make a special effort to check him out.
Silence is
Today's Journal of Note:
Night Train 7.2
http://www.nighttrainmagazine.com/contents.php
Poet and Poem of the Issue:
Blake Butler
"List of 50 (18 of 50): INCOMPLETE CONFESSION"
This poem blew me away. I felt implicated. So will you. Check it out and Butler's blog, too.
Everything leaves an impression, even if you don't know it. You can't unknow what you know. Does the sharing make it better or worse?
I've been thinking a lot lately about the unthinkable--the things we cannot express or don't dare say. The impossibilty of knowing all or even completely expressing what we think we know is a blessing and a curse, isn't it? Doesn't keep us from trying, though, or needing to. We have a need to express, to share, to purge, to confess. To lighten our hearts or put the burden on others. Still, there are some things we just can't bring ourselves to share or even admit to ourselves. And sometimes, even words fail. So how does one express that?
Also of interest: William Carlos Williams' Paterson and Heather McHugh's Broken English
Night Train 7.2
http://www.nighttrainmagazine.com/contents.php
Poet and Poem of the Issue:
Blake Butler
"List of 50 (18 of 50): INCOMPLETE CONFESSION"
This poem blew me away. I felt implicated. So will you. Check it out and Butler's blog, too.
Everything leaves an impression, even if you don't know it. You can't unknow what you know. Does the sharing make it better or worse?
I've been thinking a lot lately about the unthinkable--the things we cannot express or don't dare say. The impossibilty of knowing all or even completely expressing what we think we know is a blessing and a curse, isn't it? Doesn't keep us from trying, though, or needing to. We have a need to express, to share, to purge, to confess. To lighten our hearts or put the burden on others. Still, there are some things we just can't bring ourselves to share or even admit to ourselves. And sometimes, even words fail. So how does one express that?
Also of interest: William Carlos Williams' Paterson and Heather McHugh's Broken English
I always wanted to be Audrey Hepburn
Today's Journal of Note:
failbetter.com
Poet and Poem of the Issue:
"Charade" by Melissa Hotchkiss
I cheated a little. I came across Melissa Hotchkiss at failbetter.com a few weeks ago, but I remembered her this morning. This is one of those poems that sticks with you because it's simply capital-T True. As she asks, "Doesn't everybody want to be somebody?"
Yes.
Sometimes, I would even venture to tag on the word "else" to the end of that question.
I think I may have to move to NY one day. Elsewhere is the word, in my case.
failbetter.com
Poet and Poem of the Issue:
"Charade" by Melissa Hotchkiss
I cheated a little. I came across Melissa Hotchkiss at failbetter.com a few weeks ago, but I remembered her this morning. This is one of those poems that sticks with you because it's simply capital-T True. As she asks, "Doesn't everybody want to be somebody?"
Yes.
Sometimes, I would even venture to tag on the word "else" to the end of that question.
I think I may have to move to NY one day. Elsewhere is the word, in my case.
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