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October 14, 2004
Elegy for an Elegy
I survived my first poem critique today. I have been unable to sleep soundly for the past two nights because I was dreading it so much. I actually came out of it feeling better about the elegy, because I already knew that it sucked, so people couldn't say much to disappoint me. Thus, when there was actually something positive said, I felt a lot better, notwithstanding the fact that the ratio of negative comments to positive comments was probably about 20:1.
I did, however, get told that my poetry sounds a lot like Plath's. "Harsh and unrelenting" were the words my prof used. I was flattered to be compared to such a successful poet, even though Plath did end up taking her own life at the age of thirty. But I guess that comes with the genre.
After a little revision, I'm actually relatively satisfied with one of my elegies. This brings about the quandary of whether or not to post it on my blog. I really don't want people to read it if it's actually not all that good, and I don't want people to rip it off if it turns out to be semi-decent.
So, until I have resolved this dilemma, here are some quotes from my prof:
"How do you betray a landscape? 'Hey, I'm sorry -- I looked at an elm tree the other day. But I'm just a man.'" -Destroying a classmate's elegy to the landscape of her home.
"I make an ass out of myself every day, like three or four times." -In response to a student who admitted that he feared criticism of his poetry.
"And I don't think it has to be about hunting or knives or anything like that." -After announcing a contest for male poets.
"They asked me what Bible passage I wanted. I said something out of the Old Testament about God smoking and smiting people, but they didn't want that. They chose something out of Luke. Why did they even ask me, then?" -About his upcoming chapel talk, which happens to be his first, and he predicts that it will also be his last.
"I'd also like to be flanked by strippers." -On the same subject.
Posted by Megan at October 14, 2004 11:45 PM
Comments
Does the guy teach anything other than poetry? I think I need to look into taking a class with him. I want "I mean, damn" written on one of my papers too!
Posted by: Kristin at October 15, 2004 09:10 AM
WHY is he giving a chapel talk?
Posted by: Matt Heerema at October 15, 2004 10:03 AM
post it. post it. post it. YAY!
Posted by: paul at October 15, 2004 11:32 AM
oh man, what class is this? your prof is AWESOME!
Posted by: nate at October 15, 2004 01:42 PM
1. He's teaching Advanced Nonfiction Writing next semester. It's on T&Th at 9:30. I'm taking either that or Advanced Fiction Writing.
2. Profs give chapel talks once or twice a week. Whoever is organizing it obviously doesn't realize what they're getting themselves into.
3. This class is "Advanced Poetry Writing: The Elegy."
Posted by: Megan at October 15, 2004 05:58 PM