Poetry News For January 28, 2008

Poetry News:

— Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill’s The Fifty Minute Mermaid asks us to examine the very nature of our present-day livesr —

— Like music, poetry is not just about meaning —

— His goal with the book is to help people understand the lives that Native Americans live in today’s society and how much racism and stereotypes affect them —

— Four JP poets to read not far from E.E. Cummings’ grave —

— Taslima to be invited for Poets Convention —

— the unconscious, “those great enormous fiery urges,” produces the best results —

— Pertinent Press: How does an upstart poetry publisher pass the bullshit test? —

— Metaphors, symbols and myths are not arcane distortions, peculiar to poetry —

— Michelangelo’s “Dirty” Poetry —

Thanks to the kind folks at the William Penn House in DC, I have a cheap place to stay while at the Split This Rock Festival. (My dad is a Quaker.) I’m staying the first night in a hotel, since there was no room on that night. I’m looking forward to that trip.

Tags: books, ee cummings, John Fredrick Nims, Katrina Roberts, Michelangelo, Niizh Makwa, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Paul Muldoon, poet, Poetry, Poetry News, poets, Taslima Nasreen, Terese Svoboda
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3 comments

Justin:

Thanks for posting the poetry is more than meaning link.

Even before I read Billy Collins’ poem, “Introduction to Poetry,” I had established these as the guiding questions for when I get to teach creative writing:

1. Did you like it?

2. Why did you like it or Why didn’t you like it?

3. What makes it a poem or Why isn’t it a poem?

4. Is there anything to admire about it? (most often connected with #3)

And a distant last:

5. What is the poem talking about?

I tell my students that meaning in poetry is always important, but it will be last on our list. I want my students to be comfortable with the poem in question, firm in their opinions BEFORE we talk about meaning. That way, they will be able to speak from a position of confidence in knowing what the poem does for them, rather than rush to some answer which may be influenced by what the rest of the class has to say.

January 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am

Greg:

Thanks for the link to City Paper here in DC (you’ll have to pick up a souvenir copy when you come); I’m always on the lookout for potential publishers. and Justin, great comment & right on target. your students are fortunate.

January 28th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Collin Kelley:

We’re still waiting to hear if our panel was accepted at STR. Fingers crossed.

January 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am