3 ms·
As I read the author's knowing quotes of the various poems, and one by one they fly over my head, I recall why I never was able to get into poetry. Perhaps it's
by rashkov 11y ago
As I read the author's knowing quotes of the various poems, and one by one they fly over my head, I recall why I never was able to get into poetry. Perhaps it's a language and a context that I would have to steep myself in. Perhaps I should take it as a challenge and start to read more poetry. Any suggestions, hacker types?
- cafard 11y agoFirst, most of the quotations are translations from French, and translations of poetry often don't convey the quality of the original. Second, of those first written in English, a fair number are from Merle Haggard's songs, and probably better heard than read. My suggestion if you wanted to read more poetry would be to pick up a decent anthology and read with no or neutral expectations until something catches your attention. John Hollander's Committed to Memory is or was out of print, but is not hard to buy on line. I remember Louis Zukofsky's A Test of Poetry as pretty good, though I haven't looked into it in years. NYRB has brought John Williams's anthology of English Renaissance poetry back into print. Or you could listen to some Haggard.
- rashkov 11y agoExcellent, looking forward! I really do enjoy beat poets and rebel outlaw characters so there was a lot in this article to like, but hitting against the issues you mentioned was a bit despiriting. Thanks for putting them in perspective and for the suggestions