I sent him a batch of my best Kooser-like poems, which he returned with margin notes and a cover letter offering advice. He begins his response with a quote from Alice in Wonderland, and follows with insight on how he crafts his own poems.
The Fish-Footman began by producing from under his arm a great letter, nearly as large as himself, and this he handed over to the other, saying, in a solemn tone, "For the Duchess, an invitation from the Queen to ply croquet." The Frog-Footman repeated, in the same solemn tone, only changing the order of the words a little, "From the Queen, an invitation for the Duchess to play croquet."
March 2, 1995
Dear Brent:
Some very good writing here. I've made a few notes that may set you to thinking.
One thing I'd suggest you work on - and my notes enforce this notion - is the danger of introducing metaphorical ideas that are merely dropped in and not followed through. For example, if you say that a pond is like a church window, you have introduced a church into the reader's imagination and you have an obligation to do something with it. Unless the metaphor is followed for a while, it will seem arbitrary to use that figure. I noticed these things here and there in your work. The swallows weaving a widow's dress is the same thing. You've introduced a widow, and set up some expectations there.
You asked what I'm working on . . . I never feel as if I'm working toward the next book. I just keep writing poems as I come upon them and eventually, after maybe sixty of them have been in magazines, I start looking to see if they'll make a book. My books are getting further and further between. The last one was nine years in the collecting.
Things are hectic here at the office, so I'd better get back to work.
Keep at it,
Ted
Read Letter #4: Writing Against Something >
1 comments:
Brent:
Thank you for posting these.
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