View Single Post
  #4  
Unread 10-12-2009, 04:25 PM
Janet Kenny Janet Kenny is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Queensland, (was Sydney) Australia
Posts: 15,574
Default

I think that human beings were ever thus. The fact that the judges picked work that meant something to them, combined with easy global communication and interaction, means that you can't deduce trends from this very fine selection of gifted poets and thinkers. Take any historical period and you will find distinct variations of character and style but from a historical distance you will recognise that they shared a common culture.

I am very happy to say that all I perceive from this selection is that the human mind is still functioning despite gloomy suspicions that it might not be so.

I haven't read the anthology Quincy mentions but I think that the greatest present danger to poetry is that the academy will dictate what is acceptable and that many good poets who fail to fit the new respectable stereotype will be undervalued. Education is a grand thing as long as it doesn't lead to careerism and conformity.
Reply With Quote