Philosophy 101 |
Can Poetry Matter? -- 10th Anniversary |
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Here's the text: http://www.cprw.com/Davis/gioia2.htm "The main effect of this new activity has been to revitalize, democratize, and decentralize the presentation and discussion of American poetry. A skeptical critic might justifiably claim that never has so much bad poetry been presented to so many people, but that observation misses the bigger and more important fact. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, a broad and diverse coalition of Americans has created a public space for poetry. This huge populist revival happened almost entirely outside the university. For the first time in half a century the academic poetry world is balanced by an equally large amount of activity in the general culture. The quality of these new enterprises is very uneven, but that is also true of most academic activity, and one can reasonably hope that competition between the two spheres will eventually make both stronger. The new populist revival is now transforming literary culture with such speed and reach that one wonders what the future will bring. It is a time of enthusiasm and experiment. No one today would dare claim that poetry is dead. The ancient unkillable phoenix has risen from the ashes and magnificently taken flight." Obviously, I agree that most of the poetry out there is just plain bad. But you know what? It's a more interesting world with all that bad poetry out there then with no poetry at all. Brad [This message has been edited by Brad (09-23-2002 01:00 AM).] |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
"Obviously, I agree that most of the poetry out there is just plain bad. But you know what? It's a more interesting world with all that bad poetry out there then with no poetry at all." Interesting article. My only concern with the volume of poetry being presented is that some of the very good stuff will get lost in the deluge. I don't even have much of a problem with the bad stuff out there ... many poets are in the early stages of their artistic development (myself included) and, provided these poets recognize this and are working to improve their handle on the art, then I am satisfied. Even those who see poetry merely as a form of expression should want to express themselves more clearly, right? Jim |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
well... What is bad poetry to one reader is probably more beautiful than anything another reader has ever read! All in all, the modern trend atleast encourages people to write their thoughts and for others to read and feel with it or against it. That could be the sign of victory, for it identifies alongside a basic tenet of life: sharing. My honest op Regards, Sudhir |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
a better question might be "Can poetry meter?" sorry. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
...or is it for better or for verse? (Christopher made me do it!) |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
well... Only rhyme will tell. (they're getting worse, no?) [This message has been edited by Stephanos (09-23-2002 11:46 PM).] |
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