Kate--
I have to say that I agree pretty strenuously with Michael about Hazo's take on traditional meters. I'm not familiar with his work either, but I am a little stunned that a poet of his obvious skill and experience would say, "I discovered that the iambic pentameter line and these various trimeter and other lines were not made for our language." Tell that one to Frost, fella. And to all the other poets of the past and present who have created poems of great rhythmic beauty in English, thanks to the i.p.
He's an interesting poet, though, you're absolutely right (to wit "The world is reason's peanut"). And he does some interesting things with free verse rhythms, whether you count stresses-per-line of not. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.
Marilyn
|