> whose work has been so overshadowed by a romanticised persona.
That's an interesting turn of phrase, Alison, that is a "romanticised
persona" casting a shadow across one's work, instead of, one assumes,
charismatic light.
How many contemporary poets (as say much different than pop performers) does
one pay attention to that are deeply invested in manufacturing a personae in
order to draw attention to their work? Obviously some poets have a given
charisma - say Ann Waldman is naturally so in this country - but I never
have the impression that she is less than loyal than wanting to keep the
focus on her work, and the work of others. And I am probably easily seduced
by a good poet performer. But, in general I think post-modernism tends to
make mincemeat of 'personae manufacture' - at least that's my aversive
impulse. Does the work (the poem) do it.
As an undergrad I loved productions of Dylan T's Under Milkwood - partly
because of the plays pluralistic focus on the village. It felt generous. I
have been little able to read or hear much Dylan T in a long time. A
much different character, I get inklings of the same rattle with what little
I read of S Heaney. Who needs another famous poet? Poetry,yes!
Stephen Vincent
Triggers, my new poetry ebook from Shearsman Books is now available at:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/ebooks/ebooks_home.html
Reviews and comments appreciated!
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