Posted by kid_A on March 15, 2002, at 12:15:44
In reply to Re: another poem A SECRET HISTORY OF PRAYER AND SONG, posted by trouble on March 15, 2002, at 3:00:37
trouble,
first, thankyou for taking the interest in my work, believe it or not I do harbour quite a bit of self doubt when it concerns my writing and when someone takes the time to respond to something I've written I appreciate it very deeply...Regarding Robert Lowell, another 'confessional' poet if you will, He had quite nice things to say about the work of Plath in the introduction he gives to her book Ariel, the poems that would serve a a precursor to her unfortunate end. I think in that book alone, a book that by itself deserved to be awarded the Pulitzer (she was posthumously awarded one for her collected words), Plath, to borrow Lowell's words, "becomes herself, becomes something imaginary, newly, wildly and subtly created".
If I had to choose a poet to whom I owe a imense debt as far as influence goes, it would have to be Anne Sexton. Sexton's writing style is different than plaths in that at times it becomes more abstract, fanciful, In the end phases of her work there is a running theme of her relationship to what she can only grasp at being her idea of a "God" with a captial G...
You are correct about this poem being my epic, it is I think one I laboured over for well on two years now... I initially finished it in february of 2000, but have since made several amendments that I think help to better convey the poems theme, the dichotomy between sane and insane, between beautiful and wretched, between Caliban and Prospero, between rich and poor, between happy and sad. I modeled the poem as being spoken by the character of Caliban, from The Tempest, I instill in him the awe of his would be gods, I try to impart the feelings he has towards himself... This is not to say that my poem is in anyway a metaphor or relation to The Tempest, but Caliban serves as a reference point for me to best explain the narator...
In my work I strive to impart the most clear sense of emotion that I can. I try my best not to just compile a collection of 'pretty words'. I would hope, I think, that in some way, at least on some levels, someone can connect with what I say. I understand that not all passages will be as lucid as others, but overall I hope to impart a certain feeling.
I think writing in metaphor, that there is not always a garuntee that people will simply 'get' your writing. Plaths writing can be obtuse to the point of mystery... Take the poem "Cut", which deals with mental illness treatment, but reads much more about the fascination with a accidental severing of a finger... I think that poem alone has been misinterpreted on many levels, I myself have a hard time grasping it, but it, along with "The Applicant", are amoung my favourites of Plaths. They adorn my walls at home, as I walk through my appartment, sometimes I'll stop at a corner where I've taped an inspiring poem, and the sheer depth and impact it has on me is amazing, If I was asked for what I live for, it is these moments of connection I feel with these particular writers.
Im open to any discussion about my work, its obvious you have an interest in writing, and I might say could probably make quite a good poet if you gave it a chance, if you have not allready... Its not all black and white, so theres no need to feel as if you 'get it' or do not... The words in themselves cary some impact, which I hope is imparted, the best poetry achieves this in some ways, even if at times the meaning is obscured.
much thanks again,
kid_A
poster:kid_A
thread:19863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020314/msgs/19898.html