Thursday, March 7, 2013

It Is Not My Sun

Writing Room, 2013

Poetry's only obligation is to the truth. Whether this truth is widely popular or not is irrelevant. It should be the best truth possible and that is the only quality that gives it any hope of survival.

On the other hand I have no belief in the notion that only a few poems are valuable and that only a few people thought to be valuable are fit to tell us which poems these are. Before you can have a cleansing of the temple you must have a temple which people should feel it is their natural right to enter. Old-boy networks are loathsome. I am delighted that Bloodaxe publish as many poets as they do. I am glad that there should be poetry in abundance. There wouldn't be if some had their way. No other poet is in my sun. It is not my sun.

-George Szirtes

The last two lines of this quote have stopped me this morning.  I believe what they state translates far beyond poet.  

The poets speak  
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 8:40 AM
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11 comments:

  1. nancy at good food mattersMarch 7, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    yes,
    and it makes me think about how we regard poetry and the poet in western culture...very little. in contrast, poetry is embedded in the culture of Iran, recited in families, celebrated in schools.

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  2. JanisMarch 7, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    I'm going to meditate on that thought today. Timely...

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  3. KateMarch 7, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Those words do hold such light and freedom and wider relevance. Your writing room makes my mind feel light and free.

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  4. the habit of beingMarch 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    thank you for sharing this! i particularly and wholeheartedly agree with, "I am glad that there should be poetry in abundance."

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  5. sarahMarch 7, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    i loved your blog years ago and i still love it today.
    xo

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  6. Michele | Cooking At HomeMarch 8, 2013 at 5:13 AM

    Thought provoking.

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  7. cha senMarch 9, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    "Poetry's only obligation is to the truth". I love that.

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  8. alexandriaMarch 11, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    What a great writing room! Such a stirring quote. I'd hate to think what it would be like if only a few were chosen to have their poetry out and about. Thank goodness that is not the case.

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  9. amelia from z tasty lifeMarch 11, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    it's the first line that caught my attention. The truth is so rare these days, thank goodness for poets

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  10. the LadyMarch 12, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    I was sucked in from the opening line about truth, as well.
    Lovely room to write your truthful thoughts and stories. Clean and clear.

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  11. Denise | Chez DanisseMarch 15, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    Thank you for your thoughtful notes. I wish you all poetry in your day today.

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