[Writing] In which I branch out

[jon_chaisson]

Hi writing kids! Got a request for you...being that I posted last weekend what might end up being a new direction for my poetry, I'm thinking I'm way behind on who I should be reading poetrywise. Sure, I'm in San Francisco and have more than ample access to Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, and all the beat poets, I'm thinking I should branch out. I grew up reading (and attempting to memorize for 8th grade english class) a lot of Frost, and I went to a school filled with a lot of writing students who thought they were the next Brautigan or e.e. cummings, so you might say I've been surrounded by all the names that one would expect.

That said...

I think I should be reading more poetry. Any suggestions? I don't have too many preferences, but I'm not too geared towards politically minded passages. Other than that I'm willing to try anything. :)

Comments

[ying-ko-4.livejournal.com]

TONY HOAGLAND!

There are some of his poems available on the Intertubes for you to read and get an idea of the flavor...and the Poetry magazine website is a great place to start.

I have two or three of his collections and a book he wrote about poetics that I quite enjoyed.

I would also strongly suggest a couple of poets on LJ and I can forward those names privately if you wish.

[maps-or-guitars.livejournal.com]

He was a total chauvinist, but I still really dig on John Berryman's Dream Songs. There's one or two I know by heart. There are hundreds.

[maps-or-guitars.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YUu3L-qGMI