My interest is ongoing in the poetic mastery of Jorie Graham. Thanks to several readers, especially my friend Pam McGrath, who have responded to many of the issues raised about her work in the Anders essay that I posted last week. (See below for that three-part posting.) In the spirit of of giving her more […]
Jorie Graham
James Galvin et al, Part 3
A third posting from Jack Anders’ essay…this section explores Galvin’s poetics in more detail. I particularly like Anders’ line—“poetry always tries to show raw flux in frozen form”: In any event, in X, all revolves around the elemental subject matter which is the end of the marriage. Each poem represents an effort to embrace the […]
Jorie Graham, James Galvin et al, Part 2
This is a continuation of the essay by Jack Anders as posted below. In this section he contrasts the metaphysical and mystical qualities of Graham’s exquisite poem San Sepolcro with one of her more recent works. The distinctions he identifies ring true for me. Anders then moves his focus more specifically to poems written by […]
Jack Anders on Jorie Graham et al, Part 1
I am in awe of Jorie Graham’s gifts as a poet. But although I have spent time powering through her later poems, they haven’t captured me with the same breathless wonder that her earlier work evokes. As an artist, I feel uncomfortable when this happens. It’s the art maker’s creed–we want everyone to respond most […]
Jorie Graham: Prayer
This poem by Jorie Graham has had particular resonance for me today. I share it with the intention of passing its magic along to anyone else who might need its wisdom. Prayer Over a dock railing, I watch the minnows, thousands, swirl themselves, each a minuscule muscle, but also, without the way to create current, […]