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MYSTERIOUS BRACKET, SECOND ROUND
What are we doing when we read poetry? To use a sports metaphor, since this is March Madness—it is an advantage to know your opponent (your poem). Just to take an example in baseball: The second time...
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LIFE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND
Modernism attempted to shrug off traditions. It failed. Or did it? What it produced were two things: little magazines which no one read, and Ezra Pound, their leader, in a cage (captured for treason...
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MORE LIFE BRACKET ACTION, SECOND ROUND
Danez Smith goes for Sweet 16 In so many fields of study, categories matter. It is a curious thing how little categories matter in the study of poetry. We don’t seem to know what to say about poetry...
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THE BEAUTIFUL BRACKET PLAYS FOR SWEET SIXTEEN
To say, with Edgar Poe, that poetry should be beautiful, is the most rigorous, scientific thing one can say about poetry. Why is the idea misunderstood, dismissed, or even ridiculed, then? Because the...
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BEFORE HE READ THE POEM HE EXPLAINED THE POEM
Before he read the poem he explained the poem, It had to be explained, first; it was a complicated poem; It was contextualized by his tragic life, By the encouragement of his lover, by the objection...
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THE ELITE EIGHT!! POETRY MARCH MADNESS ’19
Scarriet came into existence in September of 2009, quite by accident—from a silly quarrel with Blog Harriet, the Poetry Foundation site. As we approach Scarriet’s 10th anniversary—after nearly one...
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THE FINAL FOUR!!
The poetry world has been riveted this month by another Scarriet Poetry March Madness. Why shouldn’t poets compete, just like those wearing jerseys and sneakers? Why should only those in sneakers get...
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FRIENDLY AND FILTHY
I can’t decide Whether you are friendly or filthy. I think I better hide Behind my religion and my hijab. Your thoughts are free, but filthy. You need to be a friend. Not an intellectual slob. I see...
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IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER
Are you willing to love me? Why must you compare yourself to another? Love. You’ll find out what it’s for In one form or another. Spies want you, a spy told me, And watch out, that poet isn’t your...
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THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Logic leads us astray. There are those who will browbeat you with logic, the most patronizing bullying types, who believe that they, unlike you, are playing by the rules. Their authority lies in...
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I ONLY WANTED TWO
When I loved you, Rosalinda, I loved the vowels of your name. The specifics I sought Were, in the wind, the same. A storm, the difference, From what happened before. A storm inhibited by the...
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LOVE MISSES
When sorrow turns to anger, thought fades away. I always thought I loved you. But not today. Simple physical love is the highest form of love; Fret and worry added, is love we define as love....
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THE POETRY, TO BE POETRY, HAD TO BE OUTRAGEOUS
“The row of stores along Main Street was unchangingly grey.” —Shirley Jackson The poetry, to be poetry, had to be outrageous, Which is to say, unscientific. You cannot say Everything you need to say...
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THE MORBID MISANTHROPES ARE WISE
The morbid misanthropes are wise. They are selfish like you, But unlike you, they don’t wear a disguise. The one who is bought is the one who buys. You are garrulous and reach out To peers, who never...
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SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR HEROES
Say goodbye to your heroes, Though they are still heroes, say Goodbye to them. Life changes every day. A day changes your life and a life changes your eye. Say goodbye, say goodbye. Say goodbye to...
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I DON’T KNOW WHAT I SAID
I don’t know what I said! Or why I said what I did! Maybe, as a poet, I’m mad To say what should be hid. These counterfeit passports will get My passion into every country yet; And when you let my...
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UNABLE TO LOVE AND LOVE
Unable to love and love, you loved like mad Someone who couldn’t help but hate all the hatred you had. I realize now why I had to get away from you. Every time you loved me, you had to hate me, too....
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THE MORE LOVING ONE
When he was doing something he was thinking about something else. If you are not paying attention, you’ll get run over by a car And no philosophy will save you. Pity yourself. This is what you are, A...
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SINCE EVERYTHING IS CERTAIN
Since everything is certain And I manifest, in comity, certainty, Everything is certain to be uncertain around here. The winds of uncertainty are blowing through the woodlands of weir. Since...
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THE ONLY FLAW
For Milo The only flaw is death, and this flaw (Remember!) Is invisible. My dog has a perfect paw and jaw and claw, Blonde coat, muscles, and human eyes; Every moment, his nose smells a subtle...
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