Comments on: Jorie Graham, James Galvin et al, Part 2

By: Deborah Barlow

Deborah Barlow — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:04:05 +0000

I don’t assume her poetry as deteriorated–I think Anders speaks more vocerifously to that end than I do. Evaluating poetry is a highly subjective issue (as is evaluating visual art), and I stated that up front in the first of this set of three posts. Her early work is so beautiful and haunting to me, and that is not the direction she has chosen to explore. But with all due respect, all artists have to honor where the journey takes them, regardless.

Thanks for your feedback. I like what you say about the parentheses and italics seeming “girlish and quirky”. Well put.

By: Elatia Harris

Elatia Harris — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:35:53 +0000

Assuming her poetry has deteriorated — not really a safe assumption — one might observe there are fewer real stylistic changes than changes in the way a line may appear. Not quite the same thing. Try reading it aloud to yourself — maybe you could discern text from poem better thus.

The parentheses and italics seem girlish and quirky to me, however. Is this pain? Loss? Then it has made her do gratuitous things — and — it disinclines me to judge her.

By: Deborah Barlow

Deborah Barlow — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:10:41 +0000

C, Thank you so much for spending time with this material. I am glad to know I am not the only one who finds the work of these two poets highly contrasting and very moving, each in its own way.

I like what you say about Graham’s poems being like a puzzle, and fun to read. That puts them in a perspective that is helpful for me.

Because I am in a place where I am struggling with the flow of my creative expression, Galvin’s work represents a kind of risk taking and vulnerability that I admire. I have found some solace in reading his work.

I always value your input, especially given your poetic skills.

By: mariacristina

mariacristina — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:44:59 +0000

It’s interesting to me the confidence with which Anders dissects Graham’s poem. I think he was somewhat unfair to her. Her images are sophisticated, asking for several readings, more symbolic, and slant than Galvin’s cry in the dark. Yes, his pain seems raw, but to me, her poem is just as “fun” to read. Maybe not as accesible, but as a puzzle, her words are fun to read.

Thanks for sharing this. I admire your intellectual curiosity. you lead me to think about things I’d probably gloss over without articulating.