Saturday, September 13, 2008

An interview ...

... with Katie.

6 comments:

  1. Fabulous interview, Katie; and, you were so polite and patient, I was deeply impressed with your restraint because the host really had a lot to say before you actually got to utter a word; but, when you did, wowzer-zowie. Gotta say, I loved the prose-poem best; and, I saved the interview so I can listen to it when I can return to it; but, aces! Also? You've only been writing poetry for three years; and, that's a stunner, for me. Whoa. I'm glad you're the next generation, Doll; otherwise, I'd have to hate you so good :). This way, it's my pleasure to encourage you to write, write, write, read, write.

    Why? You came across like a pro and your poetry really affects and is effective both. (BTW, did you do that bus tour?)

    Anyway, thank you. Lovely offsetting uplifter, given the terrible news that came down the wire concerning David.

    Katie, allow me to tell it straight and true: I'm relieved the art's in good hands and a fine heart with you, Poet. Salut!

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  2. As a footnote to this interview, here's Katie's Found Poetry How-To.

    The late Jonathan Williams included found poems in collections of his poetry. Here are examples from a review of his JUBILANT THICKET:

    'Pared down from 1,450 works over 55 years, this selection . . . [includes] some pauses to take dictation in the form of found poems: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WILL NOT/ AND OTHERS MUST NOT/ PULL THE FLOWERS IN THIS GARDEN." By the end of the book, it becomes clear that Williams can make a verse out of whatever's at hand; the result is a kind of commonplace book for a life lived, with wry but inextinguishable enthusiasm, in the company of artists and arts.'

    'This brings us to another one of the remarkable hallmarks of Williams' poetry: his ear for found (or "heard") poems. Perhaps the most famous of these is one included in this volume: "Your points is blue/ and your timing's/ a week off," attributed to "Sam Creswell, My Auto Mechanic."

    'Williams' "found" poetry has great range, and enlivens us to our surroundings. For instance, in "Jubilant Thicket," we encounter epitaphs, advertisements, place names, folk sayings and even the sounds of 14 creatures wahuhu-ing and sasa-ing on a summer's night.'

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  3. As usual, BINGO! Found poetry genuinely fascinates me, partially because one of our greatest poets, the now-deceased bp Nichol (who was a good friend and supporter whom I miss very much since he died on the operating table at the obscene young age of 44) taught me a great deal concerning both it and carmen figuratem. (I still think his best one was:

    em ty

    But, that's open to debate). Katie was eloquent and funny both at various points in this clip, I thought; but, the one about the range (which I can't quote since I was bleary-eared by the time I finished listening to it instead of going to bed like a good ol' dame ought to have done since I couldn't wait till morning and risk missing it [thanks, Ike]), it was priceless, a real gem. And, I did see, on her 'site, another of her found poems she read; but, I lean towards the range, the scope, the jewel in situ, I guess.

    I think it was Elizabeth who posted a list of reviews here, the first one inqued by Susan B. and, IMO, it was the best "found" poem I'd seen in ages. It's heartening to see these wonderful forms and experimentations continue to thrive despite what all the pomo-palaverants would have us do with "text" and "wrext." (Next!)

    I'd [ahem] try to find that found poem; but, if Susan B.'s around, perhaps she could since I have the feeling I had better shut down Rudolph IV (my computer) pretty quickly so I don't explode 'im. OTOH, I won't do so until I thank you for the linqs because I hadn't gone to Katie's website; and, now, since we've pulled into the cyberdrive and are enjoying being t/here, we're discovering MOTS good good work.

    p.s. I'll read the review when the storm blows through, tnx

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  4. From her how-to, here's Katie's comment on the "one about the range":

    "I learned what found poetry was a few years ago and the effect it had on me was profound. I saw poems everywhere, in everything. That summer I visited my mother at her new house, which she had bought furnished. The very meticulous people who sold it to her had apparently kept everything they'd ever acquired, including the owner's manual to the oven they bought back in the 60s. "Know Your Range," the little booklet was called. Tell me THAT'S not poetry!"

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  5. Thank you, Dave; read the Williams review and have a few items to add to what's in it, too; but, yep, that's the poem and no way would I argue with Katie concerning knowing one's range, a fact that emboldens me to encourage others to D/L the lovely 'view Frank cites wherein Katie waxes prolific on exactly that (or, IOW, next thing we know, she'll be scaling K-2).

    I did find the found poem created by Elizabeth Fox and Susan B. which I titled; and which, I am sure we all agree, ought to be dedicated to Katie:

    http://tinyurl.com/finderskeepers

    More when Ike passes through . . . (and, if my roof makes it, too, *SIGH*) . . .

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  6. Aw, Judith, wow. Thank you for those very kind comments. If I were modest I'd be blushing like Dave Lull does when people discuss him in a complimentary way but instead I'm just grinnin' like the full moon. Which, incidentally, will be happening tonight: http://www.almanac.com/redletterday/2008-09-15. I love the Farmer's Almanac.

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