rccall@dartvax.UUCP (09/22/83)
As one of those involved in the free verse discussion on this
net of late [yes, Lotta, "free" verse -- I am quite aware of the
difference between "blank" and "free" verse, as I clearly stated
at the end of one of my articles], I feel compelled to reply to
some of the more recent articles posted. I am shocked and appalled
at the responses I have seen.
Let's get one thing straight right from the start: I never
stated, as did "dann", that "Blank [sic] verse sucks," nor did I
imply it. I said that I agreed with him that much free verse
has "the appearance of an artistic effort without any of the actual
work." This happens, I mentioned, because free verse has to many
the false appearance of being "easier" to write than other kinds
of poetry since one doesn't have to worry about rhyme and rhythm;
and so a lot of free verse tends to be random thoughts strewn on a
page without the support of any careful craftsmanship. I did not
say that all free verse was "bad"; in fact, I stated specifically
that there was "good" free verse.
Ron Blair states that what is important is "communication --
whether the poem *works*". Yes, of course -- but it takes work
to achieve that communication, and if poets don't put some effort
into what they're doing, then usually they don't communicate very
well. As I have said before, free verse SHOULD have as much effort
put into it as other types of verse -- the problem is that it
doesn't, by its very structure (or lack thereof), DEMAND the effort;
consequently, a lot of it isn't very good.
Another thing I'd like to get straight is that I have made NO
personal attacks in my remarks nor have I attacked anybody's
poetry specifically. Allen England complains about the "boors who
tear apart poetry", people who "think that they are experts", and
"ignorance and intolerance." Mary Hauck complains about people
who "tear apart whatever is written." I ask you: when have *I*
claimed to be an expert? WHOSE poetry have I "torn apart"? I
specifically remarked in one of my articles that my criticism
was NOT directed at anyone on the net. [Rather, I am talking about
something which seems very common in modern poetry, especially
student poetry.] So how have I been ignorant and intolerant?
It seems that YOU are the ignorant and intolerant ones, unwilling
to consider any criticism which seems to be directed at YOUR
favorite mode of expression. What is that, if not intolerant
behavior?
I had hoped that this net would be a place where I could
have a reasonable and intelligent conversation about what I
see as a widespread problem with free verse and about poetry
in general. I assumed that you people would be open to
discussion. Evidently I was sadly wrong.
R.C.Call