I’m going to do something I said I don’t do and have only done once before. It’s not often and as a general rule, I don’t publish my poetry on this blog or elsewhere until it has found a home in a journal or publication somewhere. I’m making an exception here, the reason of which…
Category Archives: Poetic Analysis
Poets, Poems, And Critics
The Poetry Archive has published its 100th CD of poetry. Oh, those The New Yorker covers. Recordings of Robert Creeley. I’ve never heard anyone say Ayn Rand was the reason they decided to become a poet. Harold Bloom’s “Song of Myself”. Bill Hayward’s Bob Dylan. Tea with Dante.
Hey, Poets, Come Get Some Comment Luv
This is the 300th post for the World Class Poetry Blog and to commemorate this historic event I’ve made a few administrative changes that I hope will be welcome improvements. For starters, I’ve changed my tag line. You’ll notice that the header of this blog now says, under the blog title, “Intelligent Commentary On 21st…
The 7th Appeal Of Poetic Voice (And Notes On The Spiritual)
Thanks to Jim Murdoch for asking the question about the ‘spiritual’ on my post on the 6 appeals of poetic voice a few days ago. I have a few words to say about that, but first I’d like to mention a 7th appeal of voice to add to the previous 6. I don’t know why…
Why Does Bradley Lastname Write Like That?
I just recently posted a new book review at World Class Poetry. As you’ll see, I have a mixed reaction to Bradley Lastname’s brand of Dada verse. Some of it is quite good, actually, for word play. And if you know anything about me, I like word play almost as much as I like foreplay….
Billy The Blogging Poet Is Quitting
Found in the margins – what musicians read. Is Billy bowing out? Relief from the pain of war. John Updike on American Art. Poetry for the joy of God. Out of the mouths of babes. $4 per gallon gasoline and a poem on a train. Debauchery rules. On the state of writing careers. A rich…
Is Barack Obama A Poet?
No matter what else he may be, Barack Obama is no poet. Diane Lockward recommends these Letters to the World. It pays to be the world’s worst poet. On writing German haiku. Jilly Dybka publishes Trouble and Honey. Poetry publishing basics for beginners. A scrap of paper wins the contest. Defending criticism. Should poets write…
Why Obama Is Better For Conservatives Than McCain
Remember George Carlin’s comedy act, “The Seven Words You Can’t Say On TV?” It was very funny. Well, Bob Harris has penned the “The Seven Deadly Words of Book Reviewing,” only it’s not so funny. It’s tragic. And true. By the way, “penned” didn’t make the list, but it did get an honorable mention. And…
Rattle Review: Patrick Carrington
If you like reading reviews of poetry books, I just had a review published at Rattle, my favorite journal by far. I reviewed a book by Patrick Carrington. The title is Thirst. The first paragraph of the review reads: Rarely does a poet glow with grace on every page, but Patrick Carrington is no every…
All Poems Are Individuals
Just as all poets are individuals, so too are all poems individuals and should be judged on their own merits. Just because a certain poet has written 500 great poems doesn’t mean that she won’t pen the occasional bad one. Just because a bad poet has written and published over 1,000 lousy excuses for poetry…
