Comments on: Child’s Play: A Reading of a Poem I Like

By: Jason Guriel

Jason Guriel — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:14:34 +0000

Martin, thank you. And it would be fascinating to hear more about those philologists you mention – if and when you get a chance.
Peter, thanks a lot for the kind words, and for extending the reading. I quite like your lovely suggestion that “[w]e do not know how to guide each other to beauty.”

By: peter sims

peter sims — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:28:56 +0000

The pleasures of play are not free and they are the only ones available. Lovely poem and a lovely reading of it. As a contribution to the different thread of readings: the one body is the relationship itself. We do not know how to guide eachother to beauty. Our “game” of making the other beautiful can only lead to ugliness. The stickiness of naming is its ability to make the outcome definitive rather than provisional – like the poem.

By: mearl

mearl — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:02:14 +0000

Jason,
I wanted to thank you for a superb reading of a real knock-out of a poem. Buffam’s piece is such a surprise. I found three other poems at La Petite Zine (there’s such quiet, almost calm, intensity to her work…I can’t wait to read more). I’ll get back to you on this. Your treatment brings up several questions about so-called “close reading”, which very few critics take on these days. In fact it reminds me of the philologists I work with. This morning I’m working on a translation of a paper on Plutarch (on one of his “Lives”)…Their approach to the Greek passages in this case is very similar to the way you work, a kind of untangling and a gathering of evidence. Let me get back to you on this.
Martin

By: Jason Guriel

Jason Guriel — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:11:32 +0000

Zach, thanks for the mentions of Frost and Cage. And you’re right; it will probably be some time before we see Buffam’s next book. But I suspect the wait will be worth it. Anyone out there not familiar with Buffam’s poetry really ought check out Past Imperfect, a pretty impeccable book.

By: Zachariah Wells

Zachariah Wells — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:14:33 +0000

Jason, I’m reminded here of Frost’s “serious play.” Not so much of Cage’s “purposeless play.” Nice reading. I’m a great admirer of Suzanne’s poetry, as you know. We’ll probably be years more waiting for her next book, but I daresay it’ll be worth it.