Comments on: More Ron Silliman Brilliance

By: Talia

Talia — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:15:12 +0000

By society I mean the homes of my students, the culture in which they live that values and permits them to value things aside from their education. American Idol or Huck Finn? That’s where it starts. But, I don’t see how Ron Silliman can say I’m not doing my job.

By: the poet

the poet — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:05:17 +0000

You mean “general sweeping accusations” like this one?

Most of the factors that keep my studets from learning is society.

By: Talia

Talia — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:09:36 +0000

I hate it when people make general sweeping accusations about the state of public education. Yes, there are plenty of problems and kinks in the system, but usually when people say things like this they fail to be specific. Are they upset about the results of the standrdized tests? Are they upset because school aren’t teaching contemporary poetry? What exactly is your beef? I’m currently a student teacher in a 10th and 11th grade english classroom in a rural high school in Indiana. In the 5 weeks I’ve been in the classroom we’ve tackled some difficlt texts–Macbeth and Huck Finn. We’ve done writing, comparisons,and had some interesting discussions. Most of the factors that keep my studets from learning is society. Generally,the schools are a reflection of the soceity. I don’t say that to take the heat off of the teachers and schools, but honestly, it is unfair to blame public schools for whatever Ron Silliman thinks the state of the poetry community should be in.

And I think the NEA has helped my own personal awareness of poets and poetry by offering that great little mag at such an affordable price an so readily available across the country in the big chain bookstores. They do a good job of exposing a real variety of poets.

By: the poet

the poet — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:25:33 +0000

And sadly the bus drivers, truck drivers, stock anaylists and soldiers of the world are often better poets than those few poets who become the darlings of the publishing industry.

So true, Billy. So true. Thanks for reading.

By: Billy The Blogging Poet

Billy The Blogging Poet — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:48:59 +0000

“I am struck by how much we are alike in our thinking on these things yet so unlike in our poetry.”

That makes 2 of us. Like you I often disagree with Ron on the little things but mostly and where it matters he’s usually dead on.

“If the publishing world were to rest its eyes on today’s equivalent to William Shakespeare or Alexander Pope, they’d mistake him for a bus driver.”

And sadly the bus drivers, truck drivers, stock anaylists and soldiers of the world are often better poets than those few poets who become the darlings of the publishing industry.

“Nevertheless, if poetry is to survive the 21st century, poets and poetry publishers need to find a way to distribute poetry to an audience that loves to read it but has no interest in being involved in its production. They need to look for my wife.”

Exactly! Give my best to your wife and all who love poetry but don’t feel the need to write poetry.