[Andrew Szilvasy]

Major Jackson put himself and his wife in. Put in David Lehman (the general editor). And put in a bunch of his coworkers and from NYU, including the director of the NYU creative writing program.

Isn't this sort of thing one of the problems of American poetry?

[John Isbell]

Well, that does sound unappealing. But maybe Major Jackson honestly believes that the best poetry in America today is being written by himself, his wife, and the folks at NYU. It's a point of view.

Cheers,
John

[Michael Cantor]

What Andrew said.

Are you serious, John? Sometimes, rather than saying, "it's a point of view", I suggest you try "this is horseshit, and one of the problems of American poetry."

[John Isbell]

I am perhaps more sarcastic than is always immediately apparent. Donald Trump, for instance, has a point of view. Everybody's got one. I feel certain that Major Jackson has a point a view and decided to act on it. For my part, I then proceed with my opinion of Major Jackson and the point of view he acted on. It is, in multiple ways, unflattering.

Cheers,
John

[Susan McLean]

I'd say it is more a problem with "best of" collections than with poetry. Poetry has many camps at the moment, and no "best of" collection can give equal attention to all of them. The judges will always be influenced by their own preferences and what they themselves write. In some cases, they may care more about showcasing their friends than about trying to spread the attention around to people they don't know. It is regrettable, but human. I am not surprised. But neither do I ever buy a "best of" collection, unless it focuses on the kind of poetry that I like best.

Susan

[James Brancheau]

It's a problem with everything. Horseshit is the right word for it. But I really don't understand it. I would get no satisfaction from being published or recognized because of the people I know, or am associated with. I truly don't get it.

[John Isbell]

Here, on a somewhat analogous note, is Mr. Voles of Gravesend, who claims he wrote the plays of Shakespeare ("That is correct, I wrote his plays, and my wife and I wrote his sonnets."):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WaumqE7gug

Cheers,
John

[Michael Cantor]

I'm pleased to hear you weren't serious, John, and slightly embarrassed (but I'll get over it - I'm tough) that I didn't catch it.

[John Isbell]

Thanks, Michael. Yes, I do see a resemblance between Major Jackson and Mr. Voles.

Cheers,
John

[James Brancheau]

Never mind.