Eratosphere Forums - Metrical Poetry, Free Verse, Fiction, Art, Critique, Discussions Able Muse - a review of poetry, prose and art

Forum Left Top

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Unread 07-03-2019, 11:15 AM
Catherine Chandler's Avatar
Catherine Chandler Catherine Chandler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Canada and Uruguay
Posts: 5,856
Blog Entries: 33
Default Stephen Edgar

For lovers of exquisite formal poetry, I urge you to read the work of Stephen Edgar.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Unread 07-03-2019, 11:33 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: TX
Posts: 6,630
Default

A link worth clicking on, if like me Edgar's new to you. I read just "The Complete Works" - long enough, with a fairly mesmerizing interplay of meter, rhyme, and syntax.
I'd like some other format than white on dark blue though.

Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Unread 07-09-2019, 11:30 AM
Julie Steiner Julie Steiner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 8,306
Default

His poignant "Man on the Moon" (written near the 35th anniversary of the first moon landing) seems appropriate as we celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Unread 07-10-2019, 07:24 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: TX
Posts: 6,630
Default

Yes, lovely. I like his "memorable scene." Thanks Julie - he is a gifted craftsman, like Richard Wilbur, and a fine storyteller like him as well.

Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Unread 07-10-2019, 07:37 AM
Clive Watkins Clive Watkins is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 2,478
Default

He nothing common did or mean
Upon that memorable scene,
But with his keener eye
The axe’s edge did try.

Andrew Marvell
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Unread 07-10-2019, 07:49 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: TX
Posts: 6,630
Default

Exactly.

Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Unread 07-11-2019, 09:30 AM
Clive Watkins Clive Watkins is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 2,478
Default

John, do you think Edgar hopes we will catch the apparent echo of Marvell, and, if so, to what end? Or is this just an accident of phrasing? After all, in itself the expression is ordinary enough.

By the way, I ought to confess that Edgar has never done it for me, though until the recent past I had two of his collections on my shelves. I find his rhythms flat and the underlying thought often banal. Now, Richard Wilbur is in a different class altogether.

Turning the page…

Clive
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Unread 07-11-2019, 10:01 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: TX
Posts: 6,630
Default

Hi Clive,

Hmm. To my ear, he definitely had Marvell in mind, though to what end I can't say. Good question. OTOH, I agree that if Wilbur had echoed Marvell, he'd have a good reason for doing so. His poems are limpid distillations of protracted thought. Or at least, that's how they seem to me.
I discovered Edgar in this thread. I do like the two poems I've read so far, but as someone, I forget who, noted, poetry is easy, thinking is hard.

Cheers,
John

Update: it was perhaps Richard Wilbur.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Unread 07-13-2019, 05:23 PM
Mark McDonnell Mark McDonnell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Staffordshire, England
Posts: 4,420
Default

Clive James clearly likes him and does some close reading here. And has a take on the Marvell echo. Good essay:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poe...-break-up-poem
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Unread 07-13-2019, 10:44 PM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: TX
Posts: 6,630
Default

I picked up a James volume a few weeks ago and read it with less pleasure than I'd anticipated. Here, however, James compelled me to read every word. It's a longish close reading, but, precisely, fine work. I liked this line, for instance: "someone who either knows exactly what he's doing or else can control the process by which he doesn't, quite." Nice to be reminded of his gifts as well as Edgar's. Thanks Mark.

Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



Forum Right Top
Forum Left Bottom Forum Right Bottom
 
Right Left
Member Login
Forgot password?
Forum LeftForum Right


Forum Statistics:
Forum Members: 8,395
Total Threads: 21,824
Total Posts: 270,665
There are 2445 users
currently browsing forums.
Forum LeftForum Right


Forum Sponsor:
Donate & Support Able Muse / Eratosphere
Forum LeftForum Right
Right Right
Right Bottom Left Right Bottom Right

Hosted by ApplauZ Online