The Problem Of Accessibility

The Problem Of Accessibility "In fact, I have always firmly believed that poetry is about communicating an experience through art. The reader necessarily has to bring their faculties to bear, and maybe do some work. But beyond some pretty basic requisites, I've always felt that poems should be accessible. " ~Robert Peake

I often enjoy reading Robert's blog, but I must disagree with him on this point. I see the standard of accessibility as a burden that handcuffs any artist, including poets. To say that what one writes must be accessible is no different that insisting that poetry be written in strict form. Or even that it must be written in free verse. Such limitations are all nonsense.

I don't feel, as some will tell you, that what Billy Collins writes is evil. I do indeed enjoy much of his work. But I an quite frankly tired of the lame game in poetry, those who would insist that it must be this way or that or else!

If poetry is about communicating an experience through art, as Robert firmly believes, why is it the poet cannot choose whatever medium he or she sees fit to best carry their artistic message? Do we tell paint artists they "must use only oils" never pastels or water color? That it must be on canvass? Do we tell musicians that you must play music only in minor keys? That you must have a set tempo and only work with certain instrumentation otherwise it is not art? That photographic art must be in full color no black and white allowed?

I do enjoy Billy Collins. But if all the poetry I read was in the same mold, how boring would that get? And where then would the art be?


Tags: Robert Peake Billy Collins Poetry acessibility in poetry artistic

A Few Friday Fragments

Another perspective on the Best American Poetry story that is going around. The commentary by Collin Kelley.

The recent serialization in The Daily Telegraph of Assia Wevill's tragic life has raised a furious debate .

I was amused by the Quotatian Light educational video for "National Speak Like A Pirate Day."
"Arrgh!" Maybe I can have some of my poetry translated into Pirate Speak.

Sarah Browning writes on a history of poetry and war in Pens Not Swords [here].

Tags: Pens Not Swords Assia Wevill Ted Hughes Sylvia Plath Best American Poetry Collin Kelley

The Wednesday Poet Series No. 2

One of the great things about poets is they seem to come in all sizes and shapes. Well, not really... er, yes really but that is not literally what I meant. Last Wednesday, the poet of my focus for the most part exhibited a voice that was mollifying, pacific, permeated in nature. Today, I've gone a different direction with poet and playwright Harold Pinter.

Pinter is born and educated in Britain and has received a number of awards for his work, much of it in the area of playwrite. In 2005 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

I found a most interesting quote from Pinter on his own web site attributed to him in 1958.

"There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing is not necessarily either true or false; it can be both true and false." It was then followed by this text: I believe that these assertions still make sense and do still apply to the exploration of reality through art. So as a writer I stand by them but as a citizen I cannot. As a citizen I must ask: What is true? What is false?

Harold Pinter has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq as well as other hostilities. His anti-war voice has won him acclaim and criticism both. He was awarded the Wilfred Owen award for poetry, given biennially to a writer seen as continuing Owen's tradition for poems observing and distilling what he called "the pity of war".


Pinter's poetry is pretty down to earth. You don't have to read too much between the lines. Examples if this are prevalentnt in all six of his poems found here . His language can be quite dicey as you will see in American Football or Message.

Readers will no doubt find Harold Pinter to be pretty much unmasked in his work. He is the kind of writer that puts himself out there and will never make apologies for it.

Tags: Harold Pinter Wednesday Poet

Coming Soon....

Stickpoet Podcasts

The Bohemian Ball (Blues & BBQ) - Kansas City Writers

The Bohemian Ball (Blues & BBQ)

The Writers Place
3607 Pennsylvania
Kansas City, MO 64111


Saturday September 30th

6 pm - 10 pm

Tickets $20



Don't miss The Writers Place fall fun-raiser!



LIVE MUSIC: The Doghouse Daddies with special guests Brother Iota (www.doghousedaddies.com)



Food & Refreshments: Grilling hotdogs, burgers & veggie burgers; potato salad, baked beans, & more! Beer provided by Boulevard Brewery.



Costumes - Come dressed as your favorite literary figure and win great prizes for the best costume!



Silent Auction - Maryfrances is putting together some a series of wonderful baskets that you will absolutely want to take home with you!



Admission is a bargain at $20! We need your help so the Writers Place can be ready for the high utility bills this winter.



To purchase tickets call 816.753.1090. Tell your friends, buy tickets for your neighbors, help get the word out.

On A Roll

On A Roll

To roll around
as though round were
a continuum

as though it were sound
policy to engage in
such activity

could be the folly
of unbridled youth
in the midst of urban design

or it could just be the
unsteadiness that comes
with age.

Looking Around the Net

A few poetry related items this morning:

• Internet Radio Station Features Poetry
  Eyes Of The Poet Radio, an Internet-based radio station, is taking new audio poetry submissions for broadcast on the station.
• Poets Against the War! – Video Online & Info on Performing Artists
• Poets Have Big Balls (not my title, honestly)
• Poetry Bus Tour 2006 [here]