Can we please stop calling Kay Ryan an outsider now?
I mean, like who didn't see that coming?
posted by John Gallaher @ 12:40 PM
7 comments
links to this post
Nothing to Say & Saying It
Searching for a Heartbeat in Poetry & Music
Monday, April 18, 2011
About Me
- Name: John Gallaher
- Location: Maryville, Missouri, United States
John Gallaher is the author of the books of poetry, Gentlemen in Turbans, Ladies in Cauls, The Little Book of Guesses, and Map of the Folded World, as well as the free online chapbook, Guidebook from Blue Hour Press, and, with with the poet G.C. Waldrep Your Father on the Train of Ghosts, BOA, 2011. His next book will be the book-length essay-poem In a Landscape, coming out in 2015 from BOA. Other than that, he's co-editor of The Laurel Review and GreenTower Press.
Upcoming Events/Readings
Summer 2011
June 27
The 2011 Sarabande Reading Series
G.C. Waldrep & John Gallaher
Louisville KY
June 28, Tuesd
Boxcar Books
G.C. Waldrep & John Gallaher
7 p.m.
408 E. 6th St, Bloomington, IN
June 29
UIUC campus bookstore
G.C. Waldrep & John Gallaher
Previous Posts
- Paul McDonald - American Dreams
- The Nothing Poem
- The Midwest Chapbook Series 2011
- On Not Waiting Alone - Your Father on the Train of...
- You Are Here Or You're Not: The Iowa Workshop Turn...
- G.C. Waldrep / YFOTTOG / PW Blog
- Eagle Cam
- The Moveable Poetry School
- I'm off! The YFOTTOG train is leaving the station ...
- Two Thoughts for the Voices
7 Comments:
Next comes the scene where Kay Ryan takes your arm and growls "Luke, I'm your father."
Will that be right before she lifts Dana Gioia over her head and throws him into the abyss?
Based on the last five (six) winners of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry: Natasha Trethewey, Robert Hass/Phillip Schultz, W.S. Merwin, Rae Armantrout and, now, Kay Ryan, it seems obvious, to me at least, that this is no more than an academic popularity contest and devoid of any true critical measure of the value of the actual poetry submitted.
I am aware that in 2005 there were over 200 entries in the contest, probably many more today, yet one never hears of a winner previously unrecognized or unknown. It would be interesting if Columbia made public the entire list of entries so all could draw their own conclusions.
The pulitzer prize is a lot like the Academy Awards.
Just sayin'.
An astute observation, and the list of the neglected, actors and directors alike, is extensive. Movies, however, with or without accolade, are still seen by the public. Whether Indie or Studio, recognized by the Academy, Sundance, the Golden Globes or not at all, word gets around.
Unfortunately, without the Pulitzer to bring attention to it, most poetry still remains invisible, and, regrettably, the choices the Committee generally makes ensures that any poetry that might be popular will always remain invisible.
yeah, you the white male hetero poet, you're the real outsider, hunh——
Knott,
I dont' remember ever calling myself an outsider, nor have I ever heard anyone call me an outsider. Such names, like "avant garde," as well, are just product placement, and I know you know it.
You sound so lonely sometimes, writing this way. You really just need a hug, I've decided.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home