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>What is always missing in these discussions is a sociology of the poetry scene, in particular of its management< Or I could rephrase that: poetry lacks directories of its lesser demons, maps of of its minor, irrevocable hells. best dave 2009/12/21 David Bircumshaw <[log in to unmask]> > I think Bunting is more important for the myth in that it linked with the > oppositional cult of high modernism - I can't say his poems do much for me > either - but it mattered that he was around. But, whatever one thinks of > Keith Armstrong's piece, what's noticeable is how the Bunting myth has > become normalised into the professional structures of the local literary > scene: fodder for the cultural management, just as more obviously amenable > forms of writing are elsewhere. What is always missing in these discussions > is a sociology of the poetry scene, in particular of its management. I > recall Tim writing a little while back of how he used to think of poetry as > 'innocent' - I used to as well* - but ... * > > 2009/12/21 Tim Allen <[log in to unmask]> > > This is an important piece, whatever our particular take on Bunting might >> be. I agree with Mark that Peter Riley's response to the Hall programme and >> the problems arising from it was a pretty fair one. The myth making around >> that scene has been an irritant to many of us and in my opinion it has >> actually helped damage the reputation of MacSweeney, instead of promoting >> it. I have never shared the Brit avant garde's enthusiasm for and elevation >> of Bunting - his work does very little for me, and that famous 'recording' >> even less - the problem is that I really like the work of most of those who >> say they are influenced by him, with the exception of Pickard, who failed on >> so many levels to live up to his early promise. I have to say that I really >> object to Keith Armstrong's treating of MacSweeney and Pickard in parallel, >> there is just no comparison, quality wise, between the two. Barry's work had >> its faults but they become pretty meaningless when judged against his >> brilliance. >> >> There is a circumstantial reason for Bunting being pounced on as an icon >> by some sections of the Brit avant garde: he could directly link regional >> English oppositional poetry to the heritage of high modernism. I think there >> was a certain desperation in that, but nevertheless his notion of the music >> of poetry, which went against the grain of the way Brit mainstream poetry >> was heading ever since WW2, found a genuine constituency, and that is where >> I think any discussion of his poetry and how it differs becomes important. >> >> Tim A. >> >> >> On 20 Dec 2009, at 18:13, David Lace wrote: >> >> "NORTH EAST POETRY: DEBUNKING SOME MYTHS" by Keith Armstrong >>> (Discussion of Bunting and other North East poets as overrated) >>> >>> http://www.pennilesspress.co.uk/annexe/north_east_poetry.htm >>> >> > > > -- > David Bircumshaw > "A window./Big enough to hold screams/ > You say are poems" - DMeltzer > Website and A Chide's Alphabet > http://www.staplednapkin.org.uk > The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html > Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/david.bircumshaw > -- David Bircumshaw "A window./Big enough to hold screams/ You say are poems" - DMeltzer Website and A Chide's Alphabet http://www.staplednapkin.org.uk The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/david.bircumshaw