DDCPoetry

Original poem reprinted online here: "My Apocalypse" by Rae Armantrout Originally read: February 28, 2013 More information about the Poet: Rae Armantrout  "My" such a personal word, next to "Apocalypse" which is a bit epic.  However, look at the weight of the words.  "Apocalypse," at least to me, is interesting as a concept, but that's just it -- a concept; meanwhile, the "my" brings in a personal interpretation of the term "Apocalypse."  So there's an expectation set -- well a weird one actually.  Satire, "My Apocalypse is my ipod doesn't work," deeply personal and sincere, "My Apocalypse is <insert excruciatingly painful childhood/teenage/adult/old person experience here (yes, an apocalypse over a lifetime)>"; however, this poem explores the idea of apocalypse on a personal level. Starting off with the first stanza where a woman from the outside asks about the speaker's own Apocalyps...

Original poem reprinted online here:  " Landscape After Years With Yourself," West Texas by Shamala Gallagher Originally read: January 25, 2013 More information about the Poet:  Shamala Gallagher, and Youtube video This poem to me is reminiscent of Gertrude Stein's style of repetition; however, I wouldn't put this poem squarely in the branch off of Gertrude Stein -- L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry.   When I think of L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry I think of early Lyn Hejinian and Charles Bernstein whose works tried to deconstruct the purpose and limits of language.  Of course, when times change so does meaning and poets. Why do I bring up L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry in the first place.  Well, I feel this poem is in conversation with the past ethos of the style.  Well now I do actually. Past me looked at how the language is used in the poem what words were used and how the word was used.  For example, "heat" in the poem comes up six times in the poem -- four times "hea...

Original poem reprinted online here: "Book of Hours" by Kimberly Johnson Originally read: January 4, 2013 More information about the Poet:  Kimberly Johnson So I've been procrastinating all day for this poem.  Why?  Even though I read this poem quite a lot of times, I still have a hard time initiating a discussion about it. It should be easy, right?  I have a lot of notes on the page, I have an entry way through word play or use of difficult words.  However, I really don't want to go this route, but, since I've been hesitating (and this is supposed to only take 15 minutes not the whole day) I should. Language is a tricky subject. I don't want to write, "well this poem has difficult words in it -- it add/takes away from the poem."  If I do that the entire message, techniques, images, etc. are washed out.  I will write this though -- in any poem or writing, there has to be a draw in for the reader to read or even look into the poem.  Every poem I ch...