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“Glad to be Unhappy (with Hart Crane and Lorenz Hart)” [by David Lehman]
Today is July 21. Hart Crane was born today, so I reread his “Chaplinesque,” a poem inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s movie The Kid. Crane recognized Chaplin as a kindred spirit on an artistic mission…
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Why Poets Love Noir #3 [by David Lehman and Suzanne Lummis]
This is part three of a dialogue between two poets who are hooked on film noir. Do you believe "The Maltese Falcon" should be categorized as "noir"? Suzanne Lummis:It's a terrific movie but ultimately…
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A Poem for Paul Violi, born today, 20 July
Romulus and Remus (for Paul Violi) [by David Lehman] Look for Remus in the index of a bookAnd you are bound to get “See Romulus”Which is perfectly logical but makes me wonderAbout indexes, or…
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Half-Life (after Friedrich Hölderlin) [by David Lehman]
After Hölderlin Yellow pearswild rosesthe lakeyour swansand kissesyour headin water. But where,when winter,is sunshineand shadow?The walls,silent andcold, clatter. [from The Atlantic, October 2018]
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My Mayakovsky (on His Birthday 7/19/19) [by David Lehman]
On my birthday, June 11, I write thisto salute the Russian poet born on this day,this now future day commemorating the onein 1893 when our hero sprang into life. A statue of the poet…
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That Lamp Is From the Tomb [by Philip Brady]
I'd like to end this blog week with some fun–a few clips from readings. The Poetry Reading is a strange event, since most poets and writers aren't trained performers, and they don't always live…