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Andrew, You say: "What's this got to do with poetry? A lot, for me. Two books ago, and nearly a decade ago, I wrote in search of myself, heavily influenced by Lowell, Berryman, and the so-called confessional poets (how I hate that term). Now I am endeavouring to broaden my subject nature without losing the strength of those poems written from an emotional pit." I've just looked at your site and read the rosary poem and the poem about your nephew/brother/father. Since I'm not familiar with your earlier work I'm totally unjustified in this conclusion, but it seems that the strength you're writing from now is probably the same strength you wrote from earlier, it's still deeply felt, but your circle of concerns is larger because you've grown. I'm curious though about this phrase: "I am endeavouring to broaden. . . ," and in a wider sense I'm curious about how other people handle this transition. At what point does a writer decide to stop doing what they've been doing and do something new? Is it always so intentional? Is the transition generally smooth or not? Was it for you? Judy Smith McDonough, editor, poetrynow http://www.poetrynow.org -----Original Message----- From: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to poetry and poetics, r [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Andrew Burke Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 10:06 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Honesty >Or is it that an honest man is simply one who does not lie? Fran< It is very difficult to be scrupulously honest. Years ago, when I joined a twelve-step group, I thought I knew the meaning of 'honesty': to me at that time it simply meant not stealing. The idea of 'self-honesty first' had never occurred to me. Nowadays I try to reel my dishonesty in, or push the borders of my honesty out. Strict honesty is a very different mode of living in our society, yet I have found the truth is a strong and powerful position to come from. Sure it meant some activities were difficult, but now if I can't be honest in some circumstance, I don't go there. What's this got to do with poetry? A lot, for me. Two books ago, and nearly a decade ago, I wrote in search of myself, heavily influenced by Lowell, Berryman, and the so-called confessional poets (how I hate that term). Now I am endeavouring to broaden my subject nature without losing the strength of those poems written from an emotional pit. That's why I like being involved in renga, the Japanese linked poetry, because it is a wildly collabarative work which takes the poet out of him/herself. I'm trying to break another habit, and it is difficult. Me me me, there I go again. How about you you you? Andrew ---------------------------------------- Andrew Burke Copywriting [log in to unmask] Creative Writing http://www.bam.com.au/andrew/ Editing ----------------------------------------