I'm just back from Wales & England, where I was participating in Transatlantic Exchange: African-Americans & the Celtic Nations at Swansea University and Poetry & Public Language at the University of Plymouth. I had to leave Poetry & Public Language at lunchtime on Saturday. I'd love to hear reports. What I got was:
Friday night: Opening; Public Pages; John Hall's Public Minutes: all very enjoyable.
Saturday Morning: William Rowe on Barry MacSweeney: the MacSweeney poems sang off the handout
Andrea Brady on Tom Raworth. Ditto. The Raworth handout on the seat beside me was jumping up & down. Andrea Brady was also funny & clear.
I was participating in a session with Ian Davidson & Michael Kindellan. Ian peeled back Frank O'Hara's codes; Michael talked about Charles Olson. In the Q & A, Michael indicated that he'd rather have a pint with O'Hara than Olson. This was a parallel session so I missed the other two. Reports welcome.
Also, like, for the whole rest of the day, evening, & Sunday!
I'd love to hear about Dartington! Also people's responses to Lyn Hejinian a& Barrett Watten. Also any highlights. And particularly -- Kit Fryatt's paper on British & Irish Poets. I didn't even get to meet Kit. Kit, I'd love to read your paper. I met Tim Allen (who lives in Plymouth. Lucky!).
Mairead
