Robert Pinsky, former United States poet laureate, loves Bukowski!

[vodka]

it's simply two very different schools of thought in regard to what good poetry is.

it's funny to me that people get so hung up on one thing being good that they convince themselves that it's the only way to go.

as if our brains are not able to understand the concept of different but equal.

i think it's hard for poets who spend a month on a piece writing, editing, re-writing until they get it just right to deal with Bukowski's writing style and then subsequent acceptance and popularity.

It's like practicing the piano for a month to learn a song and you finally get it just right and then someone comes down and sits next to you and plays the song perfectly the first time - and you seethe.

Pinsky is seething.

 

[falcune]

Pinsky is just doing what Bukowski used to do by degrading other authors/poets. I can't get mad at the man for that. The big man up on the hill is always what you aim for if you have any guts in you. I'm going to be redundant and say it is the only thing interesting about the man. At least his anger is honest.

 

[CRBSMILE]

It's like practicing the piano for a month to learn a song and you finally get it just right and then someone comes down and sits next to you and plays the song perfectly the first time - and you seethe.
Pinsky is seething.

it's funny that you use a piano analogy. I relate to this instantly, not because I play, but becuase my Mother and her sister do. My mom studied endlessly,learning to read music and she plays beautifuly. My Aunt, doesn't read a note, and plays flawlessly. This has been a point of contention between the 2 of them for years. they both continue to seeth, and we don't
even have a piano.Inever understood it.
To me they are both piano players, they both have wonderful talents. 2 regular women in the regular world. Neither 1has 'title' or would even have the gumption to play in front of a group of people.
I've read alot of poetry, I started out on William Penn Warren. I do not like Warren, and I haven't read him in many years, but if I was in a position to promote/or denounce him, I would first take the time to honestly reread him and use my skills and knowledge to form an INFORMED opinion, I would not just kick him to the curb.. Informed opinion should be expected from those who claim to be experts. Difference in taste is beside the point. The poet Laureate should have his/her finger on the poetic pulse, even if it's dead or dieing...they should be able to UNDERSTAND the importance of poets that they may not like or agree with, they should be able to make an effort towards understanding, even if in the end they say,
" I don't understand this man.I don't like his style.His FORM is,well, non-exsistant as far as I'm concerned. I don't like
what he does,but the people do. Go ahead and find out for yourself"
I do not believe dismissing Bukowski's writing as foder for 15 year olds is honest at all. CRB:)

 

[Gerard K H Love]

Fifteen year old's have their whole lives ahead of them. What a great audience they are. If I read Bukowski at 15 I think I could have turned out different, maybe better.

 

[vodka]

at the end of the day, it's all poetry.

 

[CRBSMILE]

Fifteen year old's have their whole lives ahead of them. What a great audience they are. If I read Bukowski at 15 I think I could have turned out different, maybe better.

Yes. And lumping them into some "lesser, not worthy or understanding of GOOD poetry group" ,makes the whole thing he's trying to dish/dismiss all the worse. If he really feels the writing is only 'good' for 15 year old boys, then why couch it in the negative?
Why not spin it in a way that would bring the young to the work,(whether it's Bukowski's or another poets writings)? ...
But it is all redundent, the guy is a jerk. As some one else said, 'jealous pricks.'
Pinsky does not have the insight to reach a 15 year old.
And Gerard, I agree, if I had somehow had exposure to these thoughts/ideas/rage-ings and ramblings in my youth I would have been better for it. And that's a piece of my point. Smiles, CRB

 

[mjp]

Fifteen year old's have their whole lives ahead of them. What a great audience they are. If I read Bukowski at 15 I think I could have turned out different, maybe better.

Different, no doubt. But I have to reserve judgment on "better."

 

[Gerard K H Love]

The key word "maybe". At least I would have read more and that's a good thing.

 

[vodka]

the funny thing is that Bukowski dissed other poets so bad. so basically pinsky's behavior is no different.

 

[ROC]

His behaviour might be similar, but lacks the talent to have his criticism carry much weight.
But he's Poet Laureate, so what the hell do I know?

 

[bospress.net]

But he's Poet Laureate, so what the hell do I know?

Former Poet Laureate and only of the U.S.

You folks outside the U.S. are free to look at him with disdain.

In the U.S. we must worship him as the second coming of Robert Frost.

Bill

 

[vodka]

he's a fucking poet laureate.

he doesn't lack any talent, he just doesn't write the same.

so he's an asshole, so is the rest of the world.

 

[HarryC13]

Billy Collins is great. Robert Pinhead is another matter.

 

[MeNoHary]

I am glad people do not "get" or like Bukowski. It makes me feel like I have something special with him. Some kind of understanding or connection everybody else does not get.

 

[ROC]

he's a fucking poet laureate.

he doesn't lack any talent, he just doesn't write the same.

so he's an asshole, so is the rest of the world.

Well if he's a fucking poet laureate then my respect for him goes through the roof.

Tell me... is it part of his on-stage act?

 

[CRBSMILE]

the funny thing is that Bukowski dissed other poets so bad. so basically pinsky's behavior is no different.

ms. vodka,
You are totally correct. and poets slamming other poets in their poetry has always been a part of the form. If Pinsky had written a poem railing & reaming Bukowski,(and for all I know, he may have), then I could at least see it. It's in the terms of the interveiw and the off-handed comment that I've tried to approach this. I've known of Pinsky since he became Laureate, I don't remember his work, but I do remember him saying something about letting poems Sit and Rest, which I dug. I realize the differences in peoples tastes and styles, and so forth. It was his dismisive statement that pissed me off, and his disregard for the importance of poetry in the lives of young men. Sometimes I can't help but look towards my 'betters' with idealized eyes, and I guess sometimes, I expect better from them. Silly, I know, we ARE in an election year:eek:Smiles To You and ALL, CRB

 

[marqcoig]

i'm from Omaha. the Rueben is from Omaha. that fucker prolly asks for it on wheat bread with turkey instead of corned beef so he can watch his figure...

Hank probably wrote too much about drinking, women, being poor, working, and trying to figure out just what the hell is really going on out there in this world of ours for this guy's liking.

...you know, just like the rest of us.

he probably pays $7.00 for a beer and $10.00 for a Bourbon and coke, and $1000 for a hooker to make him feel like a man. being a real poet with real thoughts and insights? Priceless.

it'd be one thing if he said, "you know i never got into Bukowski. his style didn't make sense to me..." or whatever. but to dismiss one of the most important names in 20th century literature like that? fuck this guy...his hands are probably as soft as fucking pillow without the feathers. i don't know if Hank would've liked anything i've written, or liked my tattoos, or my taste in booze, but i can say but what i've read that he would've been honest in his approach, not just insulting and slandorous. CHILDREN? is that what this fucker is calling us? because Hank isn't "complicated" enough for the College crowd, or nice-enough for Oprah's book club, or dull enough for the High School? Hank did more living before 40 than most of those elite, efitte, intellectual fuckers did by the time they died.

i'll make you a Reuben that'll make you cum, fucker. then i'll shit on your plate and make you eat that, too.

 

[marina del rey]

Damn, dude. Quit beating around the bush and tell us what you really think.

 

[Father Luke]

Here is my beef with all this.

According to definition, Poet Laureates are
appointed by the Librarian of Congress, and are
entrusted with raising the status of poetry in the
everyday conscience of the American public.

To disrespect any poet, or any poetry, in that
position is irresponsible.

I don't care if the man likes Sandwiches
I don't care if the man is a poet
I don't care if the man fucks goats

He is a representative of Poetry.

I may call call Charles Bukowski a Garbage Pail
Laureate, and say that he wrote about flies,
fucking, being drunk, horse racing, and poverty.

But when I dismiss that writing, and those who
read it, I have become dismissive of the position I
represent.

 

[ROC]

But when I dismiss that writing, and those who
read it, I have become dismissive of the position I
represent.

That. And he probably sniffs little boys undies.

 

[Father Luke]

(snip)

But when I dismiss that writing, and those who
read it, I have become dismissive of the position I
represent.

That. And he probably sniffs little boys undies.[/QUOTE]

Well, I don't know that. But I do know that he dismisses
Poetry, and those who read it, and those who have writen it.

I know that you are kidding, but it really frys my ass that
someone in a position of authority has such little regard for
the institution they have been entrusted to.

That and I like to consider myself a writer on occasion. . . :o

In other words, my sentiments exactly. ;)

 

[ROC]

It fries my ass too, and I've never written a thing (but I can spell fries and written).
And see, Vodka was right too. Assholes to a man! :eek:



Seriously... you are right on the $.

 

[David]

Poets are always sniping at each other. Because of competitiveness and jealousy, I wonder whether they can be "objective" about each others' work. Robert Graves, the English poet, dismissed virtually ALL his contemporaries! I mean W.B. Yeats, Dylan Thomas, T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, etc. I think he only liked Robert Frost. One could compile a rather amusing history of poetry by putting together all the weird/asinine/crazy comments poets have made about each other.
One thing Graves did, however--he actually QUOTED and commented on passages of the poets he criticized and tried to show WHY he thought their work was flawed. I wouldn't mind it if Pinsky did that--quote chapter and verse and tell us what your criteria are for good writing and then go ahead and demolish your target. But just taking pot shots is very cheap.

 

[Gerard K H Love]

The strongest imagine I got about Pinsky from this article (besides his brown suit) was he was buying a light bulb. I think it says he needs ideas or one of my favorites,"The lights are on and nobody's home." Also, although he's eating a Rueben sandwich the writer emphasizes the cheese.
Yes the article does point out how full Pinsky is, full of himself. On the bright side, Bukowski was mentioned, any advertising is good advertising just spell the name right.

I had to read that article agian. and marqcoiq welcome to the forum. You get to make the Rueben sandwiches for the party but please hold the shit.

 

[Purple Stickpin]

Actually, the reuben at the All Star Sandwich Bar is quite good, albeit overpriced.

http://www.allstarsandwichbar.com/_assets/images/fame/large/11.jpg

 

[Gerard K H Love]

Thanks, I thought I had it spelled wrong, I should have checked. My spell check on Firefox thinks reuben needs to be capitalized.

 

[Purple Stickpin]

That's only if you're talking about this guy: