Hokay, so I will allow that Vendler is not covering Margaret Hamilton's
lines. Frankly if someone put me in the position Vendler has occupied
for over 20 years, I would not be modest and do a Wayne & Garth "We're
not worthy!!" But. Someone or some combination of forces made Helen
Vendler the power she has become in American poetry. I personally do
not remember anyone since (ta-da) Eliot and Pound who can work to
promote personal favorites to great heights. Someone made her a king-
and queen-maker. Who? How do the critical reputations of critics--not
of poets--happen? I grant too she is not omnipotent. Philip Levine
didn't quit writing.
ken
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