Hi Arni, Candice, David, Sean and all
i can't think (though there might be) an example of a poet changing a
warlord's stance. I can think of examples of poets changing public
perceptions of events, but that's another matter - although cogent at
this time.
Evidence of such influences are negligible, but like Rukeyser's wonderful
'The Traces of Thomas Hariot' showing that people who talk with, are a
conduit between, carry discourses are at least as interesting and
influential on tides of historical events than the figureheads who are
credited with discovery or decision-making.
In that spirit I urge open discussion both here and beyond here. I
profoundly believe (first time i'm ever typed anyting remotely like this)
that imagination / play are necessary to effect what would constitute a
paradigm shift in terms of cultural interactions on bases other than binary
stand-off. I see the possibility for small ripples from lists such as this
building into a (for want of a better metaphor) effective wave. Of go on
then, seachange . .
love and love
cris
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