Poetry News

S.J. Fowler Explains the (Un)Importance of Poetry

By Harriet Staff

In the poetry post du jour at the Huffington Post, S.J. Fowler calls poetry a “luxury,” and “nothing, a game for the initiated, the distraction of a select,” adding, “I believe less than many of my peers in the transformative power of poetry.” So how does he justify being a poet, an editor, a scholar, and a frequent poetry event organizer?

My poetry, academic research, and my efforts in organizing events are about stripping away a glib assumption that poetry is profound. I suppose to get to the private profundity, which I do believe is utterly closed and personal. My activities are about not overvaluing poetry because poetry is nothing next to people, to health, to life — it is a component of a well-lived life, for me — a component of humility — but only alongside, or below, a mindful and constant engagement with emotional erudition — love, courtesy, care and respect for other people in the most immediate, difficult and practical circumstances.

Fowler also has something to say about the Poetry Parnassus and its connection to the Olympics—more after the jump.

Tags: S.J. Fowler
Posted in Poetry News on Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 by Harriet Staff.