The idea of writing a poem every day, as advocated by David Lehman and
endorsed by Andrew (below) is something of an article of faith in creative
writing teaching. I agree that if you're going to be a poet at all you're
going to have to write sometimes when you don't feel like it, just because
you might not otherwise get an opportunity. And you can't teach poetry
unless your students are willing to have a go when you tell them to. All the
same, I don't write every day, couldn't, and wouldn't want to if I could.
For me, poetry is a special form of discourse, something to turn to when
everyday communication no longer seems adequate. I need a certain pressure
to build up before I write a poem. I am all for practising and trying things
out, but I make a distinction between that and my real writing. And I worry
that writing every day can lead to being too easily satisfied. Eliot said a
poet should write as little as possible - I don't agree, but I do think we
need our intervals of silence.

Best wishes

Matthew Francis
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Glamorgan
Pontypridd
CF37 1DL
UK

[mailto:[log in to unmask]
01443 482856


-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Burke [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 February 2000 00:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: list is open


Great new site, JVK. The view just rolls into the distance ...

Something I've been musing about recently re: David Lehman. The only
postings about him seemed negative, yet for people away from his scene, and
away from the American and European catchment areas for poetry (!), his
career activities mean nothing. We just appreciate his editing of the Best
American Poems Of annuals, and see him occasionally published (today in
Poetry Daily - on Tuesday that is). Frankly, he's helped me, because
recently I read some of his 'daily poems' and started to emulate his
example. I now have two workshop groups this week doing the same thing:
attemping a poem (first draft) each day. I know I'm only talking quantity
not quality, but words on the page sure beat thinking about it. (Get black
on white, someone said.)

My point is, history will edit out all the ruffled feathers, the jealousies
and inter-school rivalries. Here in this little town we have our annoying
poets who are everywhere with their coloured balloons of words, and we have
our interfering arts administrators who get paid a lot and favour toadies.
It's the same the whole world over. Part of being a poet in today's world
is selling your goods. Some people take this further than others - some
stick their boot in your door and become annoying. But we must all do it to
some extent or our poems will collect dust in the bottom drawer. We have an
Irish poet here who sits in his flat and bemoans the fact that he doesn't
get published as much as he used to. He doesn't send work out! It's like an
Irish joke ...

Just rambling to try out the new list. Thanks, John, again, for all your
work over the last coupla years for this list. When did it start, btw? Do
we have an anniversary?

Andrew

----------------------------------------
Andrew Burke Copywriting
[log in to unmask] Creative Writing
http://www.bam.com.au/andrew/ Editing
----------------------------------------



%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%