Hi, Ana.
I think this isn't entirely true. Very few Latin American poets are
known even by most poets in the Anglo world. Beyond four or five even
their names are unknown. This is true even of those who have been
translated, who remain little read. Of Brazilians even souandrade and
Haroldo de Campos are absent. The major exceptions are Paz, Borges
and Neruda. Neruda is by far the best known and most widely published
in English. He also represents the crucial impact of a North American
poet, Whitman, who has been thoroughly absorbed into Latin American
practice since Marti. Paz and Borges were also heavily involved with
Britain and North America.
Some of the younger poets in Mexico, Heriberto Yepez, for example,
are deeply involved with North American poetry and thought. In Cuba
Padilla saw himself as a part of the school of Lowell, and the
Origenes group was in contact with a range of English language
poetries, notably that of Wallace Stevens.
It's nonetheless true that the border has been largely sealed, but
this is a two way phenomenon.
I think what happens is that those of us who try to cross that border
tend to be more aware than we would otherwise be both of how few of
us there are and of whoever on the other side is also trying to cross
that border. So, those from the anglo world who try to cross the
border loom larger than their actual numbers or degree of involvement.
Best,
Mark
At 11:32 PM 12/31/2002, you wrote:
>i live in rio de janeiro.
>i'm completely cosmopolitan, and i have only one friend here, pedro, with
>whom i can talk about my interests. we meet every week.
>you can't find a list like poetryetc in the portughese or spanish-speaking
>world.
>i love anglo-saxon thought and avant-guarde and i think a lot about latin
>and anglo-saxon mutual fertilization.
>the most sophisticated anglo-saxons are the ones who have an interest and
>understanding of mediterranean thought.
>sadly, the opposite way, latins who really understand and assimilate
>anglo-saxons, is not strong.
>latins either hate anglo-saxons or adulate precisely the former's worst
>characteristics (or, at best, study their character but in a superficial and
>insufficient way.)
>winterson is chiefly a novelist. perhaps i've been too harsh with her, but
>i'm very critical.
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Prince"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 7:36 AM
>Subject: Re: Last Post Laureate
>
>
>>Most kind of you to say, Ana.
>>Re your book: by all means, send it! I hope it includes your
>>illustrations.
>>Have never read Winterson; can't find her poems on the net--only biog info,
>>interviews and reviews. Can you recommend a site, or post a couple of her
>>poems?
>>I live in England's east midlands right now; where do you live?
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Judy
>>
>>2003/1/1 Ana Olinto
>>
>>i always love your comments, jude.
>>>i'll publish my book soon, and send it to you via net.
>>>do you like jeanette winterson?
>>>i think she is also too self-centred, not very brilliant and
>>>i myself try hard not to follow the same path.
>>>do you, jude, live in london?
>>>
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