I asked a bunch of poets the above questions. I’ll put their answers on this blog until I run out or get distracted…
Michael Farrell says:
“klare [lanson – see Klare’s answer here – ed.] mentioned poetry writes me & i subscribe to this theory yet i cant hold onto it (or it cant hold onto me) – theres always more than one reason to write, more than one theory of the process, though one may dominate for a time. the idea of entertainment is close to me in reality at the moment as i have a group of friends to read poems to – but while that may help me write, i dont think my poems are that different than those ive written during the many years when i havent had a group i belonged to. im letting myself be more spontaneous. but its never natural, its always art .. or at least a theory of..”
“pop music is such a big part of my poetics, that entertainment has necessarily always been in there .. though it wasnt till i read ohara that poetry was confirmed for me as an entertainment possibility. the first famous francis bacon – the cultural critic – said something about people doing what they can do best – what they can make their name at – fuck knows why but that ended up being poetry for me – im sure i couldve been a a quite good accountant – but would thatve satisfied my ego?”
“i think perhaps poetry is a sublimation of song for me – does that sound hyperreactionary? being too shy to let song out except on a page .. but theres a bit of folk/storytelling culture in there too.. why then arent my poems all simple lyrics or narratives? too many things to hide .. too much complexity to process .. ? it started when i read german expressionist drama .. remember i was only twenteen .. a good catholic country boy looking for the easiest way to go bad .. then i read joyce .. stein.. it all proceeded to blow my mind .. id read enough nme by then to know thats what i wanted to do .. i write poetry to blow peoples minds .. even if i have to get up their nose to do it .. & if i fail & if i fail every time .. maybe those failures are just preparation for the final ex(im?)plosion ..”
More answers soon. Stay tuned, or submit your own to adamford {TA} labyrinth {TOD} net {TOD} au.
The Other Adam Ford 