ringu Says:

May 19, 2008 - I do have the book, and I do like a good many of Ashbery's poems. How did you come to choose "On Seeing An Old Copy of Vogue on a Chair"?

Nectarhead99 Says:

May 19, 2008 - Good question. I am a pretty big Ashbery fan and found this poem to be quite different than the rest in its directness compared to say, "It, or Something," "Causistry," or for that matter most poems in Self-Portrait In a Convex Mirror. In my opinion it has a youthfulness to it and is slightly less pretentious (although the title is rather pretentious) than other poems of his. What are your favorite poems in the book? I like "Of the "East" River's Charm" and "Pavane pour Helen Twelvetress."

enlightenedviewer Says:

May 23, 2008 - I feel this poem is a bit depressing. With "the happy ending and tragic are alike doomed; better to enter where the door is held open for you with scarcely a soupçon of complaint," I feel like he portrays an attitude of "life sucks, but make the best of it". The level of hope for a nirvana-like state seems out of the picture.What is your favorite genre of poerty? If you yourself write any poems we would love to hear them!

ringu Says:

May 25, 2008 - Sorry--I'm a bit late responding--that was rude. It is a different kind of poem...out of the book my favorite poems are "The Gallant Needful," "Thrill of a Romance," and "They Are Still Rather Lovely." I've read some critics taking Ashbery to task over the last few years, implying he's over the hill. But I actually prefer the poems in Your Name Here and Where Shall I Wander to Self Portrait...and some early others. I also like James Tate and Charles Simic.

Nectarhead99 Says:

May 25, 2008 - Charles Simic is wonderful! I'll be posting another video sometime this weekend. Stay tuned. I'm really happy that people are responding.

Nectarhead99 Says:

May 25, 2008 - I like Postmodern...Adrienne Rich...Robert Creeley...and Victorian poetry...Matthew Arnold, Robert Browning... the best. Oh yeah, George Oppen, Marinetti, & Khlebnikov...I do write poems...perhaps one day I will post them...

dinnerbucket9 Says:

May 31, 2008 - Thanks for being one of the last standing at the Alamo. I began with April Galleons and 3 Poems and since then have followed the serpentine path fairly closely, later learning of his affection for and connection with Kenneth Koch and Donald Barthleme and all I am here to do really is recommend them both in happy conjunction.

dinnerbucket9 Says:

May 31, 2008 - Oh, wait, I forgot to mention Gertrude Stien, a primary carbuncle. Also that Barthelme [ look for John Barth and slide sideways] routinely acknowldges old Sam Beckett, whose genius haunts the abandoned palace of misfortune still.

ringu Says:

Jun 1, 2008 - I do like Barthelme--his collected stories (one volume) is coming out this year. Beckett is essential, sure. I just found the videos of his plays, and his Film, the other day. It never occurred to me to look up 'samuel beckett' on YT before.

dinnerbucket9 Says:

Jun 13, 2008 - Some wag, centuries ago, asked Beckett why, all considered [ the seemingly depressive cast of his work/the savagery] why he had not opted for suicide; Becketts reply ' What if it is worse?"

dinnerbucket9 Says:

Jun 13, 2008 - Now I will type in 'Mark Strand', expecting nothing.

ringu Says:

Jun 13, 2008 - sounds just like him. but hwat a head of hair he had!

dinnerbucket9 Says:

Jun 14, 2008 - Russian futurists. Yikes. Like Amish sexulaists. Great luck.

milujipoem Says:

Jun 24, 2008 - what about Oregin masters pieces poems?

molloyx Says:

Jul 3, 2008 - And yes what a head of hair it was and I would murder for it just now.