Tue 11 Feb 2014
Dear Kristen Stewart,
I’m a poet and professor at UCLA, and thought you might be interested in what some of my poet friends (most of whom also teach and are otherwise very accomplished) and I have been writing on Facebook about your recent poem published in Marie Claire. This is partly to address the apparently universal opinion by journalists – most of whom seem to not know anything about literature – that this is a terrible poem.
My own initial post went like this: “The second stanza isn’t horrible. Worst part of the poem are those awful adjectives! Stupid Beats.†What I meant by this was that the words “digital†(applied to moonlight), “scrawled†when linked to “neon†(neon is a much overused word by poets who want to sound like Beatniks) and “abrasive†(applied to organ pumps) weren’t working for me. I also didn’t like the word “ubiquitously†especially since everything up until that point was in the singular – ubiquitously seems to suggest some sort common element among many parts. Not a big fan of “Whilst†either.
But I thought the second stanza was very delicate with sound play – “parked†and “Marfa†are good off-rhymes (I heard the word “barf†in there somehow) and there is some nice alliteration in “Devils not done digging / He’s speaking in tongues all along the pan handle / and this pining erosion…†etc. And I like the broken syntax and quick movements in perspective – there’s little to no punctuation and most people can’t pull that off. And the line “He’s speaking in tongues all along the pan handle†is very evocative to me – and seems to explain some of the eccentricities of syntax and vocabulary in the first verse!
Anyway, so some of the other comments that came in here quite interesting. I’m not going to give the poets’ names since I haven’t asked their permission for this (I’m writing this quite quickly), but a female poet in New York wrote: “I don’t think it’s bad at all. It’s better than 90 percent of the poems in the first batch of my intro to creative writing class. I just read three different poems about a football game. Three different young men.â€
Another poet here in Los Angeles – he studied linguistics and works at Google – wrote “For someone who never went to high school, I think ‘Your nature perforated the abrasive organ pumps’ shows a pretty promising imagination.†I think what he means is that there is genuinely Surrealist element in the first stanza – “abrasive organ pumps†could have been written by Antonin Artaud – and has some real shock value. This same poet wrote (in response to some negative commentary on the FB feed):
Not sure why folks are hating on this poem. It’s young, but the more I read it, the more I like it. For someone just starting out, it isn’t overly freighted with expectations of what a poem should do or be. If it’s ‘beat’, it’s more Bolinas or young Bernadette than hortatory elder beat. That first line is weird and inspired. And moonlight strafing the foothills, nicely observational.
[“Bernadette†is Bernadette Mayer, a prominent New York poet associated with the Lower East Side.]
Another poet wrote: “I like the title!†That’s pretty cool since I’m not sure if I can get behind the title (unless I read it as extremely pop/campy in that Jeff Koons way). He actually wrote earlier on his own FB feed that he liked the title (that’s where I learned about your poem).
The defenses continued to roll in, even for the unusual adverbs. One poet, a teacher at a prominent college and co-editor of a major publisher of poetry, wrote: “Hm. I actually like the weirdness and energy and if you’re going to have an adverb at all why not go with ‘kismetly.’ I say go for it Ms. Stewart.â€
This same poet later wrote – in response to a post that compared you to James Franco (Franco’s writing took a lot of digs on our feed, with no defenders): “No, honey, this is yards better than the few Franco pieces I’ve seen. But there’s lots of different types of poets and poems in the world.â€
You found your strongest defender in a poet, editor and teacher at a major university in the Midwest. She wrote:
I actually think this poem is TERRIFIC. I guess there’s something wrong with me. It has a great punchy energy, it’s strange, and I never know where it’s going next. I would put stars all over this poem if it were turned in in my class… Also the language isn’t boring – kismetly and ubiquitously have a nice feel to them. I think this is pretty great.
So you see, there are a lot of qualities to your poem that really come out when you think about them. I’ve come around to liking your strange adverbs, and love it when people invent words. (The great Russian poet Mayakovsky once wrote that the creation of a neologism is a revolutionary act.)
My advice would be – if you really want to do something with poetry – is stay away from that terrible tendency in Hollywood (not just among actors writing, but mostly) to litter your poems with decadent sex and booze stories – Charles Bukowski is not the only one to have ever written a poem, and happily, much as I like him, your poem has none of his qualities. It seems that a lot of male actors in L.A. when they get down to publishing – and they usually publish way too much – seem to think they have to prove they know what a bad hangover or an abusive relationship is.
I would also suggest that you read a lot of crazy shit – i.e. look at the Surrealists and even earlier French poets, some of the more “experimental†work in the U.S. (I could help you with that), read philosophy if you have the time, books about insects and ancient cultures and Japanese horror movies and roofed bridges and, well, anything – it can all go into a poem provided you really care about what you are reading. Conversely, don’t be afraid to be small – William Carlos Williams wrote a major poem about a cat that was only 27 words long.
And lastly, don’t be hung up with trying to make your poems make too much sense. Yes, you don’t want to sound deranged (necessarily, though Arthur Rimbaud argued for just that – but he wasn’t being trailed by paparazzi) or like you have no control over the language. Actually, it’s good to have language have some control over you – I think that’s what we all liked about this poem, you were really going with it.
With enough revision, you can make a poem that has a clear emotional intent without necessarily telling a story or having a clear “message.†An American example would be Hart Crane – many of his poems would (to a journalist) appear completely impenetrable and gibberish, but those of us that love him know exactly what he means. But you can find a lot of examples of this in the movies – David Lynch, obviously, was never kept up at night wondering if everyone understood what his movies were trying to “say.â€
I think you were really brave to publish this poem, especially in a magazine in which you can’t merely hide behind their literary credentials to help it pass. Keep going!
Kismetly yours,
Brian Kim Stefans (and a bunch of other poets)
February 11th, 2014 at 10:34 am
You rock Brian. How is it possible for someone to rock so much + for so long. Rock for ever!
February 11th, 2014 at 10:40 am
This is great! But does the world need another poet?
I liked “Kismetly ubiquitously crestfallen / Thrown down to strafe your foothills / I’ll suck the bones pretty” which reminded me slightly of some early Posie Rider.
X
February 11th, 2014 at 10:40 am
I meant Rock ON!!! Change that to ROCK ON!!!!
February 11th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Hiii , Just want to say, thanks you so much for this open letter. I hope gossip Mag and all kristen haters read your letter and maybe feel how they are stupid and stop mock about her when people like you and other poete give your pov. Thanks you so much.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:29 am
Thank you! The girl was brave indeed to share a piece of herself. I thought overall the poem wasn’t half-bad. Thank you for defending this young girl. She gets way too much hate.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:47 am
The world will always need more poets. <3
February 11th, 2014 at 11:49 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I loved that poem from the moment I saw it, and I love it after – what I assume – is my fortieth re-read. It has a strange rhythm, a certain urgency and brilliant imagery. It was almost as if I was right there on that roadtrip with her.
I don’t consider myself an expert on poetry by any means, but having studied poets all through undergrad and grad school, I would place this poem among some of the best I’ve read.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:55 am
maybe you should also note the thoughts of the many, many, MANY more poets who found it ridiculous. But I know ,I understand, it’s very tempting to be in the 0,2 minority, to make a difference, you need to be noticed
As for Kristen Stewart’s poetic future, I would say sth like ‘better stick to acting”, but she’s no better there either,so…
February 11th, 2014 at 11:59 am
I’m a amateur poet and a (big) fan of Kristen’s, so I might not be the greatest judge. However, I love the poem. There’s just this flare of passion in those words, even as eclectic or not-understandable as they might be. And I don’t mind that – Kristen is not a person who makes sense to the masses… Or cares.
Thank you for pointing the positivity out from amongst the world of negative surrounding her. Nice and refreshing.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed your open letter. I was baffled at people saying it was terrible. It’s actually pretty good for a young poet.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
I agree with your open letter. I really liked the poem and it grows on the reader. It’s a shame her polarizing celebrity causes people to trash it blindly.
February 11th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
This is awesome. Good on you for addressing it and I bet you will have given some of Kristen’s young fans some good tips that they would never listen to from their own teachers. I hope it gets back to Miss Stewart somehow. I think I would take the opinion of poets, teachers and professors over internet know it alls and journalists looking for hits.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Brian, your open letter to Kristen speaks of your generous spirit by sharing your time and talents to provide positive feedback on the poem that came from the heart of a young woman who is in pursuit of her passions in life to express herself. You and your fellow poets and colleagues restored my faith in believing that there are still a few amazing people that see through the despicable and unwarranted hatred of Kristen. Hope to see other poets providing their feedback as well.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Nice article. It gives substance, knowledge and encouragement. I hope Kristen enrolls in creative writing classes and continues to write poetry.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
@nika obviously doesn’t know what she’s talking about in the poet world or movie world seeing that every director or costar Kristen has worked with,has praised her acting abilities,I’d like to know what nika’s are,it’s pretty sad she came here just to talk rubbish.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Are we really pretending a girl who has made a living off of being mediocre really needs MORE unfounded praise in her life? The message I got from this poem loud and clear, is that she’s probably never had anyone be honest with her in her life. Living in a bubble isn’t a good thing for anyone.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
I actually don’t know her movies all that well but she was really amazing in The Cake Eaters playing someone with Friedreich’s ataxia – a kind of prestige role (person with physical/mental disability) that actors like Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams and Robert De Niro didn’t play until much later in their careers (Leonardo Di Caprio is a big exception – What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was his best role, IMHO). Women actors don’t usually willingly physically unattractive roles like that (Charlize Theron, too gorgeous for her own good, did it in Monster, which was great and got her an Oscar. But has Meryl Streep done that?) I thought she was good in The Runaways, pretty funny at parts though I think people missed that. I’ve seen half of a Twilight movie, so I really don’t know.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
This is great and I agree with you. We need to continue encouraging people to put their thoughts down. The poem was a little fascinating.
February 11th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
why you people are getting involved in this, she just wrote something from her heart not to get yes or no from anybody[I loved it]so step back go do what you do and let go let go ok
February 11th, 2014 at 2:07 pm
sorry if there are bad comments on this post. these nasty comments are from Robert Pattinson fans. the guy has a crazy fandom, full of desperate housewives who spread hate on Kristen every single day, they don’t have a life. sorry for their cyberbulling.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Hmmmmm wondering why you felt the need to do this.
Were you asked by her PR team to help ‘save her’ from the nasty, negative publicity?
The problem is with this young(and very wealthy) young lady is that she has shown little, if any remorse for helping break a home with her public display with a married man in July 2012.
Because of this and her regular public outbursts, crude gestures, nd I don’t give a **** attitude, many people really don’t like her and probably couldn’t stomach her pretentious article and her poem.
Is she a student of yours?
Your excellent letter must have taken you quite a while to write. Hmmmmmm.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Well, no, as I mention, I wrote it quite quickly, about a half hour’s worth (though I had quite a few typos pointed out to me). I couldn’t care less about her private life. I just thought it was an interesting poem getting a lot of bad attention.
February 11th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
i hate “i’ll suck the bones pretty…” but i love parked/marfa and “pining erosion”!
February 11th, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Poetry Foundation offers a gloss on “kismet.” http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/tag/brian-kim-stefans/
February 11th, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Thanks for this balanced critique of her poem. I thought it was interesting. It made me revisit my poetry and try not to make everything rhyme and make sense to others. I want to write more for myself because of this.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Thank you Brian,loved your article and defense of Kristen’s poem just sorry that you’re getting some rude comments that people feel the need to comment on and especially on topics that are none of their business and are media/tab generated.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
ali
maybe you should finally grow up and accept the fact that people will like someone/something you don’t. assuming that everyone who likes Kristen or says something positive about her gets money for it or is some part of the ~PR~ show is just ridiculous and pathetic. besides, you still using that scandal (that happened one and a half years ago btw) as an excuse to come here and criticize her for decisions she made in her private life (something that is absolutely none of your business) tells actually more about your than about him or her.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:15 pm
I’ve been approving all the bitter commentary pro or con the private lives of these actors because I don’t approve of censorship but will probably just stop. It’s largely pointless. Just be nice.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Apologies , I didn’t explain myself properly.
Everyone has the right to write a poem! I’m glad and very happy for KS to spend her time doing this. There are probably thousands of young poets out there who would love to have their work published. I’m just disgusted that this girl uses her celebrity and notoriety to publish her poem in an arrogant and pretentious article designed to save her from obscurity.
Maybe you could write some more Open Letters on behalf of some worthy and promising poets in the near future.
Of course I understand that an opportunity such as this to garner some publicity for poetry and possibly for yourself doesn’t arise every day.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for this. I’m a young writer who feels the urge to throw up at the thought of sharing my work outside of a few trusted mentors. I can’t imagine the courage it took for her to share this with literally the entire world. For me, even the most impersonal piece of writing still comes from such a personal place, that the idea of people gleefully ripping it to shreds is nearly debilitating.
I was very disturbed by the reactions to Kristen’s poem, especially by people who seemed to hate it just for the sake of hating it and because it was by Kristen Stewart. I enjoyed it and while other’s may not have, it was certainly not terrible. There’s been a viciousness in the public response that didn’t sit well with me at all, and I’m glad that actual poets and academics like yourself chose to look past the media’s uninformed bashing.
Kristen comes off as one who shies away from the typical celebrity lifestyle and who is passionate about seeking knowledge, so I think she would really appreciate your critique and pointers. I know there are a couple critiques in here that I’m going to apply to my own work.
Anyway, thanks for your non-judgemental, constructive critique of her work, it gives other young writers like myself hope.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:39 pm
Ali, a large part of my career is writing articles, essays and reviews of obscure poets. See my writing on the Boston Review, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, several for Publishers Weekly (you can see these on Amazon), etc. and my book of essays. That’s what I do. There was just so much hatred of weird poetry out there (I like weird poetry) and of course of the fact that a famous (I guess controversial) actress was writing it, but I don’t think poetry is just for the financially or psychologically downtrodden (or for whomever else has misfortunes). It comes from everywhere.
February 11th, 2014 at 4:40 pm
@ali
There was absolutely nothing arrogant or pretention about this article and she’s definitely not obscure, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. This professor addressed an unfair and unbalanced attack on a poem that he felt had some merit. I’m curious about how you become “worthy” of being a poet. A poet is somebody who writes poetry. The last time I checked, you don’t have to be “worthy” of that; you just have to do it. You keep assigning motivation to this person’s reaction to her poetry. What’s your motivation? At least, he has a legitimate interest in poetry. He has every right to critique and respond, as everybody else has done. This is his area of expertise, but he didn’t invalidate anybody’s opinion. He just wanted to let her know that people who really know poetry and literature disagree with a popular opinion. Are you saying that a UCLA professor, who is obviously already published, needs to critique a poem by Kristen Stewart to be relevant? What an arrogant, amazingly ignorant, and pretentious thing to say!
February 11th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
I don’t get why people are even discussing Kristen’s private life on here. This is regarding her POETRY and how people are quick to dismiss her without giving it a chance. She shared a piece of her to the whole world- undoubtedly knowing it would get a hell of a lot of criticism but do people really need to be so malicious? The people who are evidently so hung up on wanting Kristen Stewart to fail in everything she does is merely just a HATER who needs to get on with their lives. People who judge a writer’s poem with ignorance obviously doesn’t know anything about poetry at all. Poetry that comes from the heart can only be judged by someone who really knows what she is trying to talk about- the poet and whomever she lets in. At the end of the day, you don’t know what she wrote about and you may NEVER know. And with that said, people who DO know poetry happen to think Kristen isn’t the “piece of shit” you claim her to be. So please move along.
February 11th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
#9 WHAT A FUCKING HATER YOU ARE! You are one of those professional haters? Just knowing is Kristen is enough to get your psychopathic blood boiling mad! Drop dead people like you have no soul and no heart you wouldn’t know talent if it bit you in the ass. Kristen has plenty of professional people in the movie business that hire her so I guess she must be good don’t you think?She also has millions of fans so flake off! LOL
February 11th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Godawful poem. God.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Ali, why so much hate?
This is something that truly puzels me. Why spend 5, 10, or 15 min of your life hating someone. If you did not enjoy the poem, ok, no problem. It’s not for everyone. Some enjoy, some will have their thoughts churning, while others will feel something, and then other will never want to see it again. I personally loved it. I also love Kristen. What I fail to understand, is why do you spend an ounce of energy putting someone else down, why bring up their pass mistakes that they have already asked for forgiveness to the people who needed to forgive her. What makes you feel or think you are better? What makes you think you can judge another human being for being…. Human? Is she not alowd to make any wrong turns in life? Is she not allowed to trip and fall? Is she not allowed to breath the same air we all breath? Why? Do you honestly consider yourself to be above the human race of error? Sure there are things that I do not care for, yet I waist not one second thinking about it. I just move on!
Fill you heart/mind/soul/being with positive thoughts. Honestly you will feel better! You are allowed to forgive someone else, & you are allowed to be forgiven. Do not allow so much dark/negative emotions in your life.
We are where we are because there are so many individuals as Ali, who would rather be negative then positive. Be a leader and show those around you Ali what it is to live your life in a great positive maner. Just think, if this was your, mother/daughter/friend/sister/lover, how would you feel if they were tarted the same way. Or how would you feel if you made a mistake that you were thrown stone after stone your way?
The world could possibly be a better place, if we choose to make it better.
Life is too short. Live for today, for get the past, and make your mark in life!
Kristen is living her life. She was very brave to share a piece of her with all her fans, by posting this poem. She was not attempting to gain anything, yet maybe a smile from her loved ones. I sure did smile. 🙂
February 11th, 2014 at 11:34 pm
Brian,
Thank you!!! Thank you for giving your honest opinion on this poem, as well as what your friends & colleges thought of it.
I am no scholar, yet I do know what I like, & I sure did enjoy this one. It has a spunk that makes you smile 🙂
Thank you!
February 12th, 2014 at 3:58 am
Just wanted to say thank you Prof Brian for giving us a balanced critique. I don’t know much about poetry so its good to read what the experts think…not juvenile journalists. Hopefully this article reaches Kristen’s team and she can get some authentic feedback,
February 12th, 2014 at 4:50 am
@angela @amy
Please spare me your concerns.
You know as well as most that KS has at the moment a huge publicity drive on in order to restore her image and popularity amongst non fandom people.
When did she last ‘share’ so much of herself? Never. All of a sudden it’s make up, hair, ‘love’, poems … in fact she’s probably at this very minute writing an (albeit cryptic) ‘tell all’ for the gossip rags just as she’s into daily photo ops for them as well.
All she had to do was show a little remorse towards Liberty and her children. Until she does, she (and her poem) will remain unpopular with most people.
February 12th, 2014 at 5:11 am
@ Ali – Sorry but how on EARTH is Kristen Stewart obscure? You just shot any semblance of rationality away by saying that. She’s just been at Sundance, is doing a Chanel campaign and has like, 7 movies out this year. The reason you don’t want her in magazines is because YOU DON’T LIKE HER. Guess what, you don’t have to read them. You just want to because no matter if people love her or hate her they are still a but fascinated by her because she is so different. Go look at the pre Twilight interviews, Kristen always said she loved to write and read, her mom is a writer too.
As for the personal life thing, wtf has that got to do with this article? You have no idea what has been said between Kristen and liberty. Kristen isn’t looking for sympathy or forgiveness from you because you don’t matter. Liberty seems very happy in her life considering she has been dating that old millionaire dude almost as long as she broke up. It seems to have worked out pretty nicely for her. She admitted her marriage was in trouble so it was only a matter of time before her kids had to deal with divorced parents. Get real and stop with the boring ass moral standing, I bet if we had access to your every move you wouldn’t smell of rises either, same goes for all of us. Grow up, bitter little girl!
By the way, If Kristen does read this then I want to say that you are awesome and congrats on the great reviews for Camp Xray. Ignore the yapping dogs, they are the weirdest group of people I have ever come across in my life. You are interesting to them 😉
February 12th, 2014 at 6:29 am
Ali, I will not respond again after this post, I’m sure others as well as you get the point, unless you have chosen not to comprehend, which at that point, all I can do is pray for you.
Your main push is that she did not show YOU enough remorse for another individule, that she needs to show how remorseful she is in order to earn you forgiveness. Wow! Do you re-read you post? 1st of all what makes you so sure she never did speak to this individule it attempted to? Why would you assume she has not gone above & beyond to be forgiven? 2nd why does any need to show anyone else that they have made a mends for their transgressions? Think Ali, if you do not witness it, does it automatically mean it did not happen? No one is present for anyone else’s life 100% of the time, we do not know what happenes behind the scenes.
Ali, what ever has happened in your personal life, do yourself a favor & let it go. I would recommend to either seek counseling or a good elder who can help you cope with your own personal issues. Also, maybe spending time with others who have a positive outlook in life. My father always use to tell us, “tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”. If you are around negative individules, you will tend to behave the same. Find more positive thing in your life. Learn to move on, it is 2014, let us not re-live the same old pass over & over. Again, make new positive memories! 🙂
Good luck! 🙂
February 12th, 2014 at 6:51 am
just because you know, There are people here who come from the fandom of Robert Pattinson and pretend to be poets only speak ill of her poem. don’t give attention to these people.
February 12th, 2014 at 6:55 am
true poets were speaking here of her poem and not her private life. robert pattinson fans should find another hobby instead of hating his ex.
February 12th, 2014 at 8:24 am
I enjoyed reading your thoughtful analysis. It’s easy for mainstream media bloggers (not sure many of them could be called “journalists”!) to make poetry written by an actor or actress into the punch line of a joke – when really they are only after website hits. So thanks for getting past that. And, after reading the comments above, thanks also for encouraging young people to continue with their creative pursuits.
February 12th, 2014 at 8:58 am
I wrote on FB that I liked the line, “I’ll suck the bones pretty.”
February 12th, 2014 at 11:08 am
Stewart has talent. It just needs to be honed. I found several lines of the poem to be evocative too. It just needs editing and it shows promise for a novice poet. The Beat influence is palpable, but not surprising considering her work with Kerouac’s On the Road film.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:58 am
@nika Did you know that those many, many, MANY “poets” you are talking about are actually gossip bloggers,sweetie?
February 12th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Although I personally did not like her poem it does not matter. I’m not a pro at poems or a major in English Lit. I do think that is was a nice gesture of this person to write her an open letter and be positive with as well as throw in how there was negative regarding her poem. I personally think she had to search very hard for the words the larger more less common words used from her in the past did not necessarily go with her sentences or with her style of speech. There is not however anything wrong with growth. If she takes to heart the advise and maybe uses her time wisely and is truly interested in writing, I hope she takes advantage of the many classes that are available and people that are willing to take her under her wing to mentor her. Writing is great therapy. Keeping it real can take a load of the shoulders.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Great poetry-teaching, rather than taste-enforcing, spirit in this response. Go you.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
@Ali
What her private life has to do with her poetry, I really don’t understand. 90% of the most popular poets, authors and actors had affairs – did worse than just that. Do you belittle their work too, just because they haven’t personally apologized to you? How can you not see how immensely pretentious it is to think that the public deserves some kind of big apology? And how can you not see that hating a person you don’t know says more about you than her.
Some people need to reevaluate their life. The hate they have for this young woman is so absurd… living like that can’t be healthy. I always wonder what their families & friends would say if they saw how they behave on the internet.
Anyway, I’m German, so I can’t really say much about English poetry. ;)I do think it really mirrors her personality. It’s a rushed jumble of emotions; a little naive, a little cynic. But there is so much potential there.
Brian, I really liked you letter. You seem like an awesome, very helpful teacher.
Thanks for sharing with us.
February 12th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Good on her for expressing herself with poetry; bad on a publisher for milking it for all it is worth.
Though there are interesting and even admirable parts of this poem, it is overall rather uneven. The piece was published not because of what it is but because of who wrote it, and that is unfortunate. Early rejection letters, though painful, spare us the embarrassment of looking back on our early attempts and knowing that they are out there in the public arena. Had I been (un)fortunate enough to place my first poems in journals and then been raked over the coals by the entirety of the internet for their lack of polish, I wonder if I would have written a second batch. The magazine should be the focus of the scorn, not the young writer.
February 12th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
From my point of view it is a great poem, like him said “many of his poems would (to a journalist) appear completely impenetrable and gibberish, but those of us that love him know exactly what he means”, each one that read the poem will have an different understanding and interpretation. It presents different “routes” (for me) which makes it more interesting. A beautiful writing and young.