The point about Virgil's Georgics preserving the ways of farming reminded me of Cicero's essay 'On Old Age', which contends that one of the pleasures of old age is that of farming.
I had to laugh at the idea of poetry being 'feminine'. The male prophets of ancient Israel spoke in poetry, and in the traditional patriarchal cultures of the Middle East and Central Asia, to speak one's thoughts in poetic imagery was deeply respected. If one were to tally up a list of the most famous poets in Greek, Latin, and English, the majority would turn out to be male: Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, Donne, Pope, Tennyson, Whitman, etc. - all too often women lacked education and the time from donestic duties to pursue literary excellence. Only in the industrialized modern world could poetry be mistaken as a primarily feminine pursuit.
This changed the way I see poetry forever. Ok I know that sounds dramatic, but something really clicked for me reading this interview.
The connection of poetry to memory, I think, is what flipped the light switch on. I’d only ever thought of that connection in a purely pragmatic “mnemonic device to help you pass a college exam” sort of way. I never thought of it as a time-tested defense in our dumpster fire attention economy/warzone. A way of replacing the deluge of manipulations with a beautiful and hard-won sanctuary of words.
Great interview. I love the rhythm of poetry because it echoes the repetitive beat of the heart, or the predictable and rhythmic inhale and exhale of our breath. There is something so comforting in that.
The point about Virgil's Georgics preserving the ways of farming reminded me of Cicero's essay 'On Old Age', which contends that one of the pleasures of old age is that of farming.
I had to laugh at the idea of poetry being 'feminine'. The male prophets of ancient Israel spoke in poetry, and in the traditional patriarchal cultures of the Middle East and Central Asia, to speak one's thoughts in poetic imagery was deeply respected. If one were to tally up a list of the most famous poets in Greek, Latin, and English, the majority would turn out to be male: Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, Donne, Pope, Tennyson, Whitman, etc. - all too often women lacked education and the time from donestic duties to pursue literary excellence. Only in the industrialized modern world could poetry be mistaken as a primarily feminine pursuit.
Completely agree.
This changed the way I see poetry forever. Ok I know that sounds dramatic, but something really clicked for me reading this interview.
The connection of poetry to memory, I think, is what flipped the light switch on. I’d only ever thought of that connection in a purely pragmatic “mnemonic device to help you pass a college exam” sort of way. I never thought of it as a time-tested defense in our dumpster fire attention economy/warzone. A way of replacing the deluge of manipulations with a beautiful and hard-won sanctuary of words.
That was a swell interview. I'm going to pick up his book and hope that leads to 9.3% reading poetry.
I really enjoyed his book. I find I want to like poetry more than I often do. But sometimes a writer just does it for me. Seth is like that.
Great interview. I love the rhythm of poetry because it echoes the repetitive beat of the heart, or the predictable and rhythmic inhale and exhale of our breath. There is something so comforting in that.
Many thanks! I’m glad I got to do it. Seth has developed some remarkable skill.
Magnificent! A Texan poet who can change a tire, what a find!
The world is full of wonders.
Really moved me. Thank you, both
My pleasure. I was delighted Seth agreed to the interview. Exceeded my expectations.
❤️ this, Joel! What a great interview. Congratulations, @sethwieck!!
Yes, it came out great! Wonderful answers.