| Author | Message | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 32015 Registered: 11-1998 |
This came to me today from Edward Byrne, editor-in-chief of Valparaiso Poetry Review "Poets may have a unique responsibility to record social history, particularly in those moments that carry political significance. Although this entry is being posted before the polls open for Election Day, one can be assured the voting results later today will be historic no matter which party wins, and compliments are extended to all participating on either side of the political aisle. Surely, we will all be witnesses to history in its making. Soon afterward, reflection will inevitably take shape in words written to preserve and comprehend more completely the moment. One hopes some of those words will be presented in lines of poetry: Charles Simic on Poetry and History . | ||
| Will Eastland
Intermediate Member Username: dwillo Post Number: 712 Registered: 07-2006 |
So the tinted glasses are apparently not rose-colored.  Not that I would have expected them to be. I don't know if I agree that the poet should take this on as some sort of mandate or duty. I think it should just happen. When one sets out to be the preserver of some sort of truth beyond a personal truth, I think it can tend to lead to problems, among the largest being, perspective and honesty. To use Mr. Simic's language, we do not yet know if those he calls our executioners will truly turn out to be so. That may be his personal truth from his perspective, but may not turn out to be the prevailing truth of history (and I mean history as in what happens, not what is recorded). Of course, I tend to be rather objectivist about these things. I want either less corruption, or more chance to participate in it. ~Ashleigh Brilliant | ||
| Jasmine T
New member Username: yachiru Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2008 |
I think I'd have to agree with Will. I don't know if I like the idea of being a sort of poetry soldier. |
