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Andrew Dufresne
Advanced Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 1891
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 9:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I recommend an article in the current (December 2008) issue of Harper's Magazine, in the the "Readings" section called "Recantorium" by Charles Berstein. It is an amazing piece. It will take your breath away. Be prepared to devote some time to it.
It is about poetry and the craft. It is funny, it is profound, it is the best piece of writing to come down the pike in a while about the mechanics and the dark side (and light side) of poetry and poetics. It is well worth your time. I would post the link to Harper's web site, but you have to be a subscriber to read it online.

Go to your library, buy it off the newsstand, subscribe. Get it. Now.

---

Addendum: Apparently this is a website where Mr. Bernstein reads the piece. Given its print length, I can only imagine if he's edited it or reads it entire. Anyway, here's the site:

http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/x/Bernstein-Tucson.html

Second addendum: I am not sure whether he is reading the piece or if this is a symposium on issues related to the piece. Anyway, the site is interesting in its own right... ad

Third addendum: Try as I may, I cannot find a site on which this piece is available free. This poet will be paid, it seems. The nerve of some people...

Addendum four: Well, I tried to post it, but the poet will be paid. (See addendum 3)

(Message edited by beachdreamer on December 18, 2008)

(Message edited by beachdreamer on December 18, 2008)
Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 5120
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 9:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Thanks for this, Andrew.

Fred
even consciousness, a pastiche of recycled cans
Packrat
Valued Member
Username: harolyn_j_gourley

Post Number: 219
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 9:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

(Pssst!! Andrew! Is it possible to "copy" a copy [ofsomethinglike that] (i.e., "cut" + "paste") and forward it in an e-mail...(private communication, as opposed to Public "publish")...or is that still a copyright/contractual-type tort?)

--Packrat. (...who can't ever afford anything, but isnotaverse to nibbling her way in through a "backdoor'--not to "steal"; No, NO!--just to...um..."sample the wares", like!...)
Andrew Dufresne
Advanced Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 1893
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Packrat, (and whomever):

See the above addendum.

Also, no, I would cut and paste with abandon, but Harper's format (they basically post a screen shot of the actual print pages) does not allow cut and paste. First thing I thought of actually. But no can do.

ad



(Message edited by beachdreamer on December 18, 2008)
Packrat
Valued Member
Username: harolyn_j_gourley

Post Number: 220
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I typed it in and clicked on, but...apparently they're undergoing "spring cleaning" (so they say) and so...it's "outthere" somewhere, but'll only come home when it feels like it. *sigh*

Thanks anyway, Andrew! (The title Recantorium just draws me, and th epromise of humour (sugar with the inevitable medicine)made me instantly anxious to have a nibble, as it were...)

--Packrat
Andrew Dufresne
Advanced Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 1894
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Packrat:

Must be a server problem in your area. Or not. WHo knows. I cut and pasted the link to test it and had no problems. Good luck. It's worth finding. Harper's magazine can be found in most public libraries.
Packrat
Valued Member
Username: harolyn_j_gourley

Post Number: 223
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Oh! (D'U-U-UH!!) Libraries! Of course!!(Now don't I feel "stoopid"?!!?--I'm in there all the time; 'f I tell this one to Jeannie [librarian at my "local"], they'll all *ROTFL* and tease me to pieces!)

Thanks, Andrew; I'll do that very thing!

--Packrat. (BIGGRINNINGGZ...and cherry-cheeking!!)