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Exhibit honors poet Jeffers
By Amanda Holder, September 6, 2008
Steinbeck's 'Big Read' features Carmel writer
For eight weeks beginning Oct. 4, The National Steinbeck Center is presenting an exhibition, "Jeffers & Steinbeck: Habitat of Thought," as part of a National Endowment for the Arts pilot program called "The Big Read: The Poetry of Robinson Jeffers."
This initiative, in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, celebrates the nation's historic poetry sites. Both Carmel poet Robinson Jeffers and Salinas author John Steinbeck imbued their work with an unmistakable sense of place. Their connection to the landscape is a hallmark of their writings and resonates with readers today.
Exhibit honors poet Jeffers
By Amanda Holder, September 6, 2008
Steinbeck's 'Big Read' features Carmel writer
For eight weeks beginning Oct. 4, The National Steinbeck Center is presenting an exhibition, "Jeffers & Steinbeck: Habitat of Thought," as part of a National Endowment for the Arts pilot program called "The Big Read: The Poetry of Robinson Jeffers."
This initiative, in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, celebrates the nation's historic poetry sites. Both Carmel poet Robinson Jeffers and Salinas author John Steinbeck imbued their work with an unmistakable sense of place. Their connection to the landscape is a hallmark of their writings and resonates with readers today.
The Vancover Sun
The hippest guy in the room: Poet Robin Blaser at 83
By Douglas Todd , September 06, 2008
Vancouver's Robin Blaser joined some of the planet's most renowned poets two months ago on stage at a gala literary event in Toronto, where he read some of his verse.
A newspaper writer described Blaser in the crowded auditorium as "an older man with pure white hair and the boyish, unlined face of a fallen angel."
Then the writer inserted the ultimate compliment: "He was the hippest guy in the room."
The hippest guy in the room: Poet Robin Blaser at 83
By Douglas Todd , September 06, 2008
Vancouver's Robin Blaser joined some of the planet's most renowned poets two months ago on stage at a gala literary event in Toronto, where he read some of his verse.
A newspaper writer described Blaser in the crowded auditorium as "an older man with pure white hair and the boyish, unlined face of a fallen angel."
Then the writer inserted the ultimate compliment: "He was the hippest guy in the room."
Guardian co UK
Poet's rhyming riposte leaves Mrs Schofield 'gobsmacked'
By Esther Addley, September 6, 2008
"Today I am going to kill something," says the unnamed protagonist of Carol Ann Duffy's poem Education for Leisure. "Anything. / I have had enough of being ignored and today / I am going to play God."
Duffy, one of Britain's most admired poets, might have been tempted this week to feel the same way, following the news that the exam board AQA had ordered schools to remove from its GCSE curriculum an anthology containing the poem because it supposedly glorified knife crime.
Happily, in a move that may suggest she did not intend her work to be taken literally, Duffy has chosen the more measured response of penning a poem in reply. The verse, entitled Mrs Schofield's GCSE and published here for the first time, makes reference to acts of violence in Shakespeare's plays: Othello killing Desdemona, Macbeth's dagger delusions, Tybalt's stabbing in Romeo and Juliet.
Poet's rhyming riposte leaves Mrs Schofield 'gobsmacked'
By Esther Addley, September 6, 2008
"Today I am going to kill something," says the unnamed protagonist of Carol Ann Duffy's poem Education for Leisure. "Anything. / I have had enough of being ignored and today / I am going to play God."
Duffy, one of Britain's most admired poets, might have been tempted this week to feel the same way, following the news that the exam board AQA had ordered schools to remove from its GCSE curriculum an anthology containing the poem because it supposedly glorified knife crime.
Happily, in a move that may suggest she did not intend her work to be taken literally, Duffy has chosen the more measured response of penning a poem in reply. The verse, entitled Mrs Schofield's GCSE and published here for the first time, makes reference to acts of violence in Shakespeare's plays: Othello killing Desdemona, Macbeth's dagger delusions, Tybalt's stabbing in Romeo and Juliet.
San Francisco Chronicle
British publisher touts American Indian poets
Dean Rader, September 5, 2008
The most interesting project in American poetry isn't really an American project.
The Earthworks initiative is an award-winning series of poetry collections by contemporary American Indian writers published by Salt Publishing - one of the most well-respected literary presses - in England. With books by some of the field's heaviest hitters - Carter Revard, Gerald Vizenor, LeAnne Howe, Heid Erdrich, Janet McAdams, Diane Glancy and others - Earthworks and Salt have put recent Indian poetry on the literary map like nothing before. What's more, the Earthworks books have become among Salt's best-sellers, prompting the press, in Cambridge, to add more titles to its catalog of Native poetry.
If the books are doing so well, you're probably wondering, why haven't I heard of them? Part of the mystery surrounding the series comes from its absence from the media; none of the titles have been written about in the major book review publications or cultural broadcast programs. The combined success and invisibility of the series raises a number of provocative questions: What is the relation between contemporary American Indian poetry and the larger project of American poetry? Why don't writers or critics review Native poetry? And why is the most exciting publishing initiative involving American Indians in England?
British publisher touts American Indian poets
Dean Rader, September 5, 2008
The most interesting project in American poetry isn't really an American project.
The Earthworks initiative is an award-winning series of poetry collections by contemporary American Indian writers published by Salt Publishing - one of the most well-respected literary presses - in England. With books by some of the field's heaviest hitters - Carter Revard, Gerald Vizenor, LeAnne Howe, Heid Erdrich, Janet McAdams, Diane Glancy and others - Earthworks and Salt have put recent Indian poetry on the literary map like nothing before. What's more, the Earthworks books have become among Salt's best-sellers, prompting the press, in Cambridge, to add more titles to its catalog of Native poetry.
If the books are doing so well, you're probably wondering, why haven't I heard of them? Part of the mystery surrounding the series comes from its absence from the media; none of the titles have been written about in the major book review publications or cultural broadcast programs. The combined success and invisibility of the series raises a number of provocative questions: What is the relation between contemporary American Indian poetry and the larger project of American poetry? Why don't writers or critics review Native poetry? And why is the most exciting publishing initiative involving American Indians in England?
The Age dom com AU
Russian poetry, put in perspective
Anna Akhmatova unflinchingly voiced the agonies of Russia, writes Jane Sullivan. September 6, 2008
SHE was a huge hero, bigger than Germaine Greer. She had a planet named after her. She was a star of the Melbourne Writers Festival. We saw her aquiline profile, heard her deep, dramatic voice. But she never came among us. She's been dead for 42 years.
Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps Anna Akhmatova did come among us last weekend, through the medium of other writers reading her poetry, in both Russian and English. The strongest impression left by the two events devoted to her memory was that to be a poet born in Russia was both a blessing and a curse.
Russian poetry, put in perspective
Anna Akhmatova unflinchingly voiced the agonies of Russia, writes Jane Sullivan. September 6, 2008
SHE was a huge hero, bigger than Germaine Greer. She had a planet named after her. She was a star of the Melbourne Writers Festival. We saw her aquiline profile, heard her deep, dramatic voice. But she never came among us. She's been dead for 42 years.
Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps Anna Akhmatova did come among us last weekend, through the medium of other writers reading her poetry, in both Russian and English. The strongest impression left by the two events devoted to her memory was that to be a poet born in Russia was both a blessing and a curse.
Slate
New Literary Art Form Discovered!
In praise of the praise of poetry.
By Ron Rosenbaum, September 5, 2008
believe I've discovered a previously unrecognized genre of contemporary writing that deserves commendation for its distinctiveness and frequent excellence. It's practiced mainly by contemporary poets, but it's not poetry. In factat least for meit's much better than most contemporary poetry, in the sense that it's much more readable, much better crafted, and often beautifully compressed in a dazzling haikulike way.
It's something that gives people like me who don't find themselves drawn to much contemporary poetry a sense of the verbal facility of contemporary poetsand contemporary poetry criticswhen they're writing prose about contemporary poetry.
New Literary Art Form Discovered!
In praise of the praise of poetry.
By Ron Rosenbaum, September 5, 2008
believe I've discovered a previously unrecognized genre of contemporary writing that deserves commendation for its distinctiveness and frequent excellence. It's practiced mainly by contemporary poets, but it's not poetry. In factat least for meit's much better than most contemporary poetry, in the sense that it's much more readable, much better crafted, and often beautifully compressed in a dazzling haikulike way.
It's something that gives people like me who don't find themselves drawn to much contemporary poetry a sense of the verbal facility of contemporary poetsand contemporary poetry criticswhen they're writing prose about contemporary poetry.
This Candle Will Burn
By Paul Haddock a/k/a Mr. Magic
Twinarts Poetry
(Original format omitted)
They come in search of the missing pieces
The fragments of their hearts that have splintered
Off into the sidewalk grates and fallen down
Into the belly of dark and there tossed aside
By Paul Haddock a/k/a Mr. Magic
Twinarts Poetry
(Original format omitted)
They come in search of the missing pieces
The fragments of their hearts that have splintered
Off into the sidewalk grates and fallen down
Into the belly of dark and there tossed aside
The Jewish Daily Forward
The Poet Who Invented Himself
By Joshua Cohen, September 4, 2008
Yehuda Amichai: The Making of Israels National Poet
By Nili Scharf Gold
Brandeis University Press/University Press of New England, 424 pages, $35.
Even to those who have no Hebrew, the name Yehuda Amichai might sound like a line of poetry, and poetry, at its best, should communicate through sound alone. But Yehuda is also Hebrew for Judah, as in the Lion of Judah, symbol of ancient Israelite military and political strength, and Amichai combines Ami, which means my nation, and Chai, meaning life: My nation lives, the poet is already saying, and he has just been introduced.
The Poet Who Invented Himself
By Joshua Cohen, September 4, 2008
Yehuda Amichai: The Making of Israels National Poet
By Nili Scharf Gold
Brandeis University Press/University Press of New England, 424 pages, $35.
Even to those who have no Hebrew, the name Yehuda Amichai might sound like a line of poetry, and poetry, at its best, should communicate through sound alone. But Yehuda is also Hebrew for Judah, as in the Lion of Judah, symbol of ancient Israelite military and political strength, and Amichai combines Ami, which means my nation, and Chai, meaning life: My nation lives, the poet is already saying, and he has just been introduced.
Guardian Co UK
A lesson in verse
[Warning: The original article contains adult language]
By Mark Larson, September 5, 2008
Carol Ann Duffy's work on violence is ideal for classroom discussion. It's a poem, not a memo
Sometimes the best weapon for puritans is self-censorship by others. The AQA exam board has withdrawn from its syllabus a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, in which a teenage narrator squashes an insect, kills a goldfish and then walks out on to the streets with a breadknife.
The clear fear of the question-setters is that verse about violence with a blade may encourage children to take the textbook as a handbook and check out the kitchen drawer at home. And so the banned poem re-opens the debate about the copycat risks of fiction.
A lesson in verse
[Warning: The original article contains adult language]
By Mark Larson, September 5, 2008
Carol Ann Duffy's work on violence is ideal for classroom discussion. It's a poem, not a memo
Sometimes the best weapon for puritans is self-censorship by others. The AQA exam board has withdrawn from its syllabus a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, in which a teenage narrator squashes an insect, kills a goldfish and then walks out on to the streets with a breadknife.
The clear fear of the question-setters is that verse about violence with a blade may encourage children to take the textbook as a handbook and check out the kitchen drawer at home. And so the banned poem re-opens the debate about the copycat risks of fiction.
The Wesleyan Connection
U.S. Laureate Poet Kicks-Off Russell House Series
September 4, 2008
A reading of dark, whimsy poems by outgoing U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic (pictured at right) and contemporary madrigals will kick off the 2008-09 Russell House Series of Distinguished Writers/New Voices Sept. 14.
The Russell House Series features concerts, prose, poetry and music throughout the academic year.
U.S. Laureate Poet Kicks-Off Russell House Series
September 4, 2008
A reading of dark, whimsy poems by outgoing U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic (pictured at right) and contemporary madrigals will kick off the 2008-09 Russell House Series of Distinguished Writers/New Voices Sept. 14.
The Russell House Series features concerts, prose, poetry and music throughout the academic year.
Saginaw Entertainment
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky wins the 11th Triennial Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize
By Janet I. Martineau, September 3, 2008
In the year marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, the namesake 11th Triennial Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize is going to a former U.S. Poet Laureate with a long list of awards and a poetry-reading performance on "The Simpsons."
Robert Pinsky, 67, was chosen by a panel of three judges to receive the $3,000 Saginaw-based poetry prize for his 2007 book titled "Gulf Music."
Although eclectic, woven throughout "Gulf Music" are thoughts on the responsibilities that come with aging.
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky wins the 11th Triennial Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize
By Janet I. Martineau, September 3, 2008
In the year marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, the namesake 11th Triennial Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize is going to a former U.S. Poet Laureate with a long list of awards and a poetry-reading performance on "The Simpsons."
Robert Pinsky, 67, was chosen by a panel of three judges to receive the $3,000 Saginaw-based poetry prize for his 2007 book titled "Gulf Music."
Although eclectic, woven throughout "Gulf Music" are thoughts on the responsibilities that come with aging.
News One dot ca
Former US poet laureate receives $100,000 prize
September 3, 2008
NEW YORK - Former U.S. poet laureate Louise Glueck has been awarded the Wallace Stevens Award, a $100,000 prize for "outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry," the Academy of American Poets announced Tuesday.
Former US poet laureate receives $100,000 prize
September 3, 2008
NEW YORK - Former U.S. poet laureate Louise Glueck has been awarded the Wallace Stevens Award, a $100,000 prize for "outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry," the Academy of American Poets announced Tuesday.
Kansas City dot com
Q&A: Former poet laureate Billy Collins cracks wise in verse
By Bo Emerson, September 3, 2008
In the musty, overheated Academy of American Poetry, Billy Collins is the wiseguy in the back row, throwing spitballs and cracking up his friends.
His poetry, both thoughtful and hilarious, takes the starch out of writing workshops, pompous scribes, poetry readings, professional sons of the Ould Sod and the ceaseless comparing of thee to a summers day.
Q&A: Former poet laureate Billy Collins cracks wise in verse
By Bo Emerson, September 3, 2008
In the musty, overheated Academy of American Poetry, Billy Collins is the wiseguy in the back row, throwing spitballs and cracking up his friends.
His poetry, both thoughtful and hilarious, takes the starch out of writing workshops, pompous scribes, poetry readings, professional sons of the Ould Sod and the ceaseless comparing of thee to a summers day.
Poetry Foundation
Unlovable Objects
by D.H. Tracy, September 2, 2008
Poet Cate Marvin relentlessly explores passion's pitfalls.
Fragment of the Head of a Queen, by Cate Marvin. Sarabande Books. $13.95.
The world of Fragment is in part one of horses and town criers, a fairy tale setting without the fairy tales. The tales that do exist are fairytale grim, mostly about relationship dysfunction, recrimination, and gluttony for romantic punishment--you could say they investigate what happens when the irresistible urge to love meets, in a man, an unlovable object. The dirty laundry, within the pseudo-anonymity of Marvin's methods, is flown from a flagpole; Siegfried Sassoon is notably more gentle on the subject of trench warfare than Marvin is on the subject of love. Marvin understands from the outset that a life lived at a certain level of passion is bound to make no sense, and will have topsy-turvy notions of what is appealing and what isn't. "Marvel at the corrupt!" she writes, "Make disgust your / lust and cast your fresh pain to the trash!" And:
I am like a table
that eats its own legs off
because it's fallen
in love with the floor.
--From "Scenes from the Battle of Us"
Unlovable Objects
by D.H. Tracy, September 2, 2008
Poet Cate Marvin relentlessly explores passion's pitfalls.
Fragment of the Head of a Queen, by Cate Marvin. Sarabande Books. $13.95.
The world of Fragment is in part one of horses and town criers, a fairy tale setting without the fairy tales. The tales that do exist are fairytale grim, mostly about relationship dysfunction, recrimination, and gluttony for romantic punishment--you could say they investigate what happens when the irresistible urge to love meets, in a man, an unlovable object. The dirty laundry, within the pseudo-anonymity of Marvin's methods, is flown from a flagpole; Siegfried Sassoon is notably more gentle on the subject of trench warfare than Marvin is on the subject of love. Marvin understands from the outset that a life lived at a certain level of passion is bound to make no sense, and will have topsy-turvy notions of what is appealing and what isn't. "Marvel at the corrupt!" she writes, "Make disgust your / lust and cast your fresh pain to the trash!" And:
I am like a table
that eats its own legs off
because it's fallen
in love with the floor.
--From "Scenes from the Battle of Us"
American Chronicle
Zap, You Have Just Become A Poet
By Stan Grimes, September 2, 2008
The answer is as big as the universe (almost). A poem comes in many forms. Most poems I read today are free verse in style meaning there is not necessarily a rhyme or rhythm (beat or cadence). This style of poetry has its obvious advantage. It doesn't tie the author down to a singsong, lyrical creation. However, some poets find it much easier to create a poem, which rhymes. There are at least four billion rhyming dictionaries on the market making rhymes much more complex than, "I fell in love with a turtle dove." Still, I haven't been able to find a rhyme for "garlic."
Zap, You Have Just Become A Poet
By Stan Grimes, September 2, 2008
The answer is as big as the universe (almost). A poem comes in many forms. Most poems I read today are free verse in style meaning there is not necessarily a rhyme or rhythm (beat or cadence). This style of poetry has its obvious advantage. It doesn't tie the author down to a singsong, lyrical creation. However, some poets find it much easier to create a poem, which rhymes. There are at least four billion rhyming dictionaries on the market making rhymes much more complex than, "I fell in love with a turtle dove." Still, I haven't been able to find a rhyme for "garlic."