Poetry and Poetics

Didactic Sonnet

If Plato came back today and saw the workshop, craft obsessed nature of poetics, he’d give his approval, but not for reasons poets might like: Plato would approve because the stupidity of inspiration has been removed from the writing of poems.

Aug

2011

Why Poetry is Sometimes Not Enough

by Emily Vogel Writing

Why Poetry is Sometimes Not Enough

By Emily Vogel

This evening at Catholic mass, while everyone bowed their heads to pray, I asked Jesus not only to help me be good to my husband and my family, but also what he thought about my poetry. I heard a voice, perhaps in my head, or perhaps funneled out the church ceiling which said, “your poetry will touch a few hearts, but it won’t help you in heaven.”

May

2011

On My Pedagogical Approach (or something of the sort)

by Joe Weil Academia

On My Pedagogical Approach (or something of the sort)

By Joe Weil

Digress, digress, follow the nose of your longing.

May

2011

Digress, digress, follow the nose of your longing.

On Poetry and Loss, Part 2

by Joe Weil Memoir

On Poetry and Loss, Part 2

By Joe Weil

I sometimes think African American “cool” and Irish humor developed out of an awareness of the truth that life is not merciful.

May

2011

I sometimes think African American “cool” and Irish humor developed out of an awareness of the truth that life is not merciful.

The Four Functions and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

by Joe Weil Academia

The Four Functions and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

By Joe Weil

As Kafka said: “The crows maintain that a single crow could destroy the heavens; doubtless this is so, but it proves nothing against the heavens, for the heavens signify simply: the impossibility of crows.”

Apr

2011

Creative Stupidity

by Joe Weil Poetry and Poetics

Creative Stupidity

By Joe Weil

Many people do not become artists not because they are stupid, but because they are incapable of suspending the thinking/feeling functions. They fail to become writers and musicians and painters because they cannot enter their highest stupidity.

Apr

2011

Kenneth Burke: Do you Eros into Logos? (with a note on Tu Fu)

by Micah Towery Poetry and Poetics

Kenneth Burke: Do you Eros into Logos? (with a note on Tu Fu)

By Micah Towery

Poets who write for self-expression write awful poetry. They don’t seek advice but affirmation.

Mar

2011

Poets who write for self-expression write awful poetry. They don’t seek advice but affirmation.

Poetry Fix, Episode 20: Weldon Kees

by Chris Robinson Poetry and Poetics

Poetry Fix, Episode 20: Weldon Kees

By Chris Robinson

Mary Karr and Christopher Robinson discuss Weldon Kees’s poem “1926.”

Feb

2011

Mary Karr and Christopher Robinson discuss Weldon Kees’s poem “1926.”

Ur Poems: Emily Vogel

by Emily Vogel Poetry and Poetics

Ur Poems: Emily Vogel

By Emily Vogel

What Inspires Us To Write Poetry?

Feb

2011

What Inspires Us To Write Poetry?

Scattered Rhymes: Morgan Parker

by Ben Pease Poetry and Poetics

Scattered Rhymes: Morgan Parker

By Ben Pease

Morgan Parker describes herself as equipped with the eyes of a surrealist, ears of an ethnographer, tongue of a cynical comedian, and heart of a brooding sixteen-year old.

Jan

2011

Morgan Parker describes herself as equipped with the eyes of a surrealist, ears of an ethnographer, tongue of a cynical comedian, and heart of a brooding sixteen-year old.

Writing Without an Idea

by Joe Weil Poetry and Poetics

Writing Without an Idea

By Joe Weil

I don’t usually have an idea in mind when I begin to write.

Jan

2011

I don’t usually have an idea in mind when I begin to write.

Poetry Fix, Episode 19: Thomas Lux

by Chris Robinson Poetry and Poetics

Poetry Fix, Episode 19: Thomas Lux

By Chris Robinson

Mary Karr and Christopher Robinson discuss Thomas Lux’s poem “Tarantulas on the Lifebuoy.”

Jan

2011

Mary Karr and Christopher Robinson discuss Thomas Lux’s poem “Tarantulas on the Lifebuoy.”

Scattered Rhymes: Dawn Marie Knopf

by Ben Pease Poetry and Poetics

Scattered Rhymes: Dawn Marie Knopf

By Ben Pease

Dawn Marie Knopf’s poetry feeds off a particularly American mythos: old wives’ tales, Farmer’s Almanacs, the revered stories of American pop heroes before they made it big.

Jan

2011

Dawn Marie Knopf’s poetry feeds off a particularly American mythos: old wives’ tales, Farmer’s Almanacs, the revered stories of American pop heroes before they made it big.