Hi Alison,
> Funny, I thought you were my g-g-generation...not that I think,
> either, that
> generation particularly matters.
Well, I still think I'm 18, and some people think I'm in my mid-30s. So
I guess I'm just a great big kiddy anyway.
> I didn't change the review, and perhaps
> that partly explains my vertiginous placing as an "Australian poet"
> and my
> intense dislike of "sides".
'Vertiginous' has become my middle name - especially after all my
recent problems - and I too dislike 'sides', even those generated by
friends and colleagues of mine in poetry world.
> I'm
> thinking of the view you might have from Kinsella's anthology
> Landbridge,
> for instance.
I'm sorry, I think that volume flawed and not just for the obvious
reason. No point in taking that one further.
> This might have as much to do with being a young culture as
> anything else, the lack of that weight of tradition which weighs down
> European writers for instance.
There may be a lack of tradition (but look what Ern Malley's detractors
did). On the other hand, a tradition is something to kick against. But,
sure, there's some truth in what you say.
> I personally think it's a fabulous time to be an
> Australian poet. Whatever that is.
Is there a specific thing you're meaning here, Alison? I'd rather agree
than disagree and I certainly don't want to be part of the great
Australian poetry 'moanathon' (not my phrase, but useful). I'm
certainly busy on a lot of projects and bits and bobs and whatevers
which keep me working too far into my off hours, rather than having a
life. Because I am having a life, this particular writing life.
> Being situated nowhere, or worse, falsely situated, is my experience
> absolutely. It probably explains why I hang around theatre.
Yes, falsely situated as well. Such as any situating goes. Which is the
main issue here, isn't it? The near silence, the non-discussion, the
very eeriness of essentially being one's only audience and critic.
> And I'm kind of
> shocked to hear that your sexuality has played into that feeling, a sad
> surprise, as you say.
Yep, sure is. It would have been better not to have been told. Though
it's par for the course still, in many areas. Oh well, jolly hockey
sticks and always keep a straight (in a manner of speaking) bat. There
are worse things.
Best,
Jill
_______________________________________________________
Jill Jones
Latest books:
Broken/Open. Available from Salt Publishing
http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/1844710416.htm
Where the Sea Burns. Wagtail Series. Picaro Press
PO Box 853, Warners Bay, NSW, 2282. [log in to unmask]
Struggle and radiance: ten commentaries (Wild Honey Press)
http://www.wildhoneypress.com
web site: http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~jpjones
blog1: Ruby Street http://rubystreet.blogspot.com/
blog2: Latitudes http://itudes.blogspot.com/
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