Thanks Judy, that's sweet.
I think Mark's response is to the point, but I'll just add that I was
referring to the kind of people who dont really write but do so for
such a contest as the Edmonton Journal's was.
Now students, well. I did toward the end f my teaching, get them all to
read a couple of books of poetry during the term, chosen from a hat, &
reply to that poet's poetry with a poem; this meant they all read at
least two contemporary poets by the time the course was over. still
find all too many young writers saying they dont want to be
'influenced' so they refuse to read! To which my reply, at top volume,
was get influenced now!
And then learn to make those choices Mark talks about....
Doug
On 29-Oct-07, at 6:27 PM, Judy Prince wrote:
> Sorry, Doug; I'd thought you were wrestling with
> not-yet-exposed-to-other-conventions students at the beginning of the
> term. I don't envy you for what you have to do! But I know, as one of
> your students, I'd have been hugely and positively changed by your
> efforts and your attention to any of my tryings.
Douglas Barbour
11655 - 72 Avenue NW
Edmonton Ab T6G 0B9
(780) 436 3320
http://www.ualberta.ca/~dbarbour/
Latest book: Continuations (with Sheila E Murphy)
http://www.uap.ualberta.ca/UAP.asp?LID=41&bookID=664
It's the first lesson, loss.
Who hasn't tried to learn it
at the hands of wind or thieves?
Jan Zwicky
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