Monthly Archives: September 2014

T.S Eliot Lite

Posted on September 26, 2014 by

Stumbled on this on You Tube, for what it’s worth.  Was looking for him reading his lecture “The Music of Poetry.” Not there.  Figures. TS Eliot Lite

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“The Second Coming”–Circles or Lines? Cyclical or Linear? – History, Life and “Us”

Posted on September 24, 2014 by

I had a fascinating exchange of emails with a gifted poet recently about a poem he had written entitled “Circles.”Initially, I had mis-read the poem, missed his intent and allusions (happens to all of us on off days ;). And … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, poetry, writing | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Music of Poetry: Prosody

Posted on September 22, 2014 by

OK, soapbox time. Maxed out. Had my fill of the effulgence of tone deaf poetry lately. Most poetry written today exhibits a tin ear on the part of the poet and dooms it from the get go. The problem with … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, poetry, Rants | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

“Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads in Them” – Why Bother with Poetry?

Posted on September 13, 2014 by

This poem by the contentious, straightforward major American poet Marianne Moore came to mind tonight and I thought it was worth sharing. Cogently and succinctly she takes on the common objections and antipathy of the general public to the reading … Continue reading →

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The Anonymous Ancient Poets Often Said it Better and More Memorably

Posted on September 12, 2014 by

Haunted by these lines tonight, their rawness and honesty. A straight shot of the unvarnished longing in everyone’s heart.  No dodges, frills, or confounding metaphors. Said to date from 16th century, but it feels earlier, more primal than than that … Continue reading →

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Have Hit a Major Roadblock – POETS ON POETRY – No “Emotional Slither!”

Posted on September 6, 2014 by

My library is fated to swell and I to be buried in the falling, cascading books from the shelves. An appropriate end for a misspent life, I suppose, monomaniacally focused on books. Have unearthed a modest looking old paperback anthology … Continue reading →

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Apropos of Byron (previous post) and his Romancing …

Posted on September 4, 2014 by

What woman could withstand the following blandishments and adulation? [ Byron did, after all, write an epic poem about Don Juan (considered his masterpiece)–and no one challenged his qualifications to speak with authority on Don Juan, either ;)] But back … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Literature, poetry | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments