I miss a lot when I read poems. They really need a sort of archeologist to dig up all the levels of meaning. Thank you for bringing all these interesting meanings to the surface.
To engage in a little close reading step 1: context(ualizing) and step 2: observing words, I read the following stanza from James Thomson's "At Belvoir" this morning and immediately thought of Herbert's "relish" of "versing" (07:50): "Reclining on a pleasant lea Such tender scenes rehearsing, A freakish fit seized him and me For wildly foolish versing: We versed this, we versed that, A pair of mocking sinners, While our lost couple strayed or sat Oblivious of their dinners." Here both Thomson and Herbert associate joy with versing. Many of us still do, apparently, given that your channel continues its subscription climb past 20K!
@closereadingpoetry What do you think of poets like Charles Bukowski? He is one of the most read poets today. It doesn't seem he had years of study to produce those.
I don't mean strictly academic study (I was quoting Elizabeth Bishop's "The Riverman," which, I think, is about becoming a poet). Bukowski's poetry doesn't resonate with me, but I think he is a great poet who has "studied" life, experience, and traditions of free verse so well that his poems seem to come with an unstudied ease. He also gave advice that applies to anyone wanting to become a poet: "If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
@closereadingpoetry I appreciate your reply! A lot of his work doesn't resonate with me either, except maybe "bluebird" and "genius of the crowd". It does bring to mind the question, Is poetry meant to be read, Or studied? Is it meant to be felt, Or lectured? Is it meant for the masses, Or the educated? Is it for feelings, Or thought? Many of these questions bother me. Is poetry an art form? Do we lecture a painting by van gogh? Why do we lecture poetry?
You are the best teacher. Deeply knowledgeable and committed to enlightening us.
You are such an inspiration- loving the way you teach thank you
I miss a lot when I read poems. They really need a sort of archeologist to dig up all the levels of meaning. Thank you for bringing all these interesting meanings to the surface.
It's surprising how many layers of meaning can be in a poem. I often return to a poem I've read several times and will still discover something new!
To engage in a little close reading step 1: context(ualizing) and step 2: observing words, I read the following stanza from James Thomson's "At Belvoir" this morning and immediately thought of Herbert's "relish" of "versing" (07:50):
"Reclining on a pleasant lea
Such tender scenes rehearsing,
A freakish fit seized him and me
For wildly foolish versing:
We versed this, we versed that,
A pair of mocking sinners,
While our lost couple strayed or sat
Oblivious of their dinners."
Here both Thomson and Herbert associate joy with versing. Many of us still do, apparently, given that your channel continues its subscription climb past 20K!
great selection of poems, it is so easier to learn to observe language with such exemples!
this is amazing - It is good to get back my love of words and reading whether poetry or prose
Hi Adam,
I just discovered your channel today. I'm excited to go through all of your videos and to deepen my appreciation for poetry. Thank you.
Thanks, Tom! Let me know if you have any questions.
and bring the eternal note of sadness in......way ahead of you
Hi Adam I appreciate your channel. And your voice!
Is there a link to any of your poetry?
It's kind of you to ask, but no I don't!
"I know some things already,
but it will take years of study,
it is all so difficult."
@closereadingpoetry What do you think of poets like Charles Bukowski? He is one of the most read poets today. It doesn't seem he had years of study to produce those.
@@closereadingpoetry can you please respond? I'd love to know your opinion
I don't mean strictly academic study (I was quoting Elizabeth Bishop's "The Riverman," which, I think, is about becoming a poet). Bukowski's poetry doesn't resonate with me, but I think he is a great poet who has "studied" life, experience, and traditions of free verse so well that his poems seem to come with an unstudied ease. He also gave advice that applies to anyone wanting to become a poet:
"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
@closereadingpoetry I appreciate your reply! A lot of his work doesn't resonate with me either, except maybe "bluebird" and "genius of the crowd".
It does bring to mind the question,
Is poetry meant to be read,
Or studied?
Is it meant to be felt,
Or lectured?
Is it meant for the masses,
Or the educated?
Is it for feelings,
Or thought?
Many of these questions bother me.
Is poetry an art form?
Do we lecture a painting by van gogh?
Why do we lecture poetry?
🙏🙏🏻🙏🏻