I think you're right to redirect the discussion. Certainly not everyone talking about numbers isn't being a cynical, resigned defeatist; however, last night, prior to reading your post I was discussing this whole BV affair with a Non-Poetry friend and my description seemed to smack of that defeatist talk. I think I said something like, "Pretty big deal, if you consider something about poetry a pretty big deal."
This elicited laughter, but I remember thinking, "Why do I think this way about poetry?"
Needless to say, I greatly needed to read your post.
I know what you mean, and to be fair, there's a difference between being defeatist, and having a humor enough to understand that while this BV issue is such a huge deal in our world, ultimately, we are a pretty little corner of a rather vast world.
I have to remember often enough that I need to temper my belief in the hope and power of poetry with the understanding that even if I sell 1000 copies of a poetry collection, which would be huge to us in the poetry world, in the greater scheme of things, it's not going to change the world.
But, to quote an often misattributed saying, "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Part of me wanted it to be a joke, the other part, the MFA-now-working-in-a-field-unrelated-to-writing part, was more cynical. I felt it hit home. A self-accusation that, if true, meant that I wasn't trying hard enough to bring poetry to others. BUT..to echo your quote: I think bringing poetry to 1, 2 or 5 others is pretty huge. I don't think lawyers bring law to as many in their lifetimes...
On a more selfish note, what's been really great about this BV affair is that I'm thinking about poetry again. That IS something.
Oh, man. I definitely agree. I think perhaps the greatest part of this BV thing is that a whole damn lot of people are thinking about poetry right now.
Agreed. And true to community of any kind, I've met several new people whose work/writing/opinions I probably never would have met had this not happened. A great thing, that.
Speaking of: where do you usually blog? I saw your profile {and I want to add you to my modest blogroll} but I wasn't sure what landing page you favor.
I blog mostly at vouchedbooks.com, but I have a personal blog at cenewgent.com where I talk more about my own writing and such. That's not as often updated, due to a lot of overlap in content between them, and I tend to favor the Vouched blog. But, I just had a kick in my own ass to start taking my personal blog more seriously again, so hear's to hoping.
And, I feel the same way. A lot of awesome people I'd yet to talk to or meet came out of the woodwork to talk to me about my post, and it's been a great and positive conversation with some awesome new people, yourself included.
10 comments:
Thanks so much for the mention. I'm glad that post spoke to you.
I think you're right to redirect the discussion. Certainly not everyone talking about numbers isn't being a cynical, resigned defeatist; however, last night, prior to reading your post I was discussing this whole BV affair with a Non-Poetry friend and my description seemed to smack of that defeatist talk. I think I said something like, "Pretty big deal, if you consider something about poetry a pretty big deal."
This elicited laughter, but I remember thinking, "Why do I think this way about poetry?"
Needless to say, I greatly needed to read your post.
I know what you mean, and to be fair, there's a difference between being defeatist, and having a humor enough to understand that while this BV issue is such a huge deal in our world, ultimately, we are a pretty little corner of a rather vast world.
I have to remember often enough that I need to temper my belief in the hope and power of poetry with the understanding that even if I sell 1000 copies of a poetry collection, which would be huge to us in the poetry world, in the greater scheme of things, it's not going to change the world.
But, to quote an often misattributed saying, "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Part of me wanted it to be a joke, the other part, the MFA-now-working-in-a-field-unrelated-to-writing part, was more cynical. I felt it hit home. A self-accusation that, if true, meant that I wasn't trying hard enough to bring poetry to others. BUT..to echo your quote: I think bringing poetry to 1, 2 or 5 others is pretty huge. I don't think lawyers bring law to as many in their lifetimes...
On a more selfish note, what's been really great about this BV affair is that I'm thinking about poetry again. That IS something.
Oh, man. I definitely agree. I think perhaps the greatest part of this BV thing is that a whole damn lot of people are thinking about poetry right now.
Agreed. And true to community of any kind, I've met several new people whose work/writing/opinions I probably never would have met had this not happened. A great thing, that.
Speaking of: where do you usually blog? I saw your profile {and I want to add you to my modest blogroll} but I wasn't sure what landing page you favor.
I blog mostly at vouchedbooks.com, but I have a personal blog at cenewgent.com where I talk more about my own writing and such. That's not as often updated, due to a lot of overlap in content between them, and I tend to favor the Vouched blog. But, I just had a kick in my own ass to start taking my personal blog more seriously again, so hear's to hoping.
And, I feel the same way. A lot of awesome people I'd yet to talk to or meet came out of the woodwork to talk to me about my post, and it's been a great and positive conversation with some awesome new people, yourself included.
Definitely good to "meet" you too. That was a strong post. I look forward to reading more.
Post a Comment