RIP: CD Wright (1949-2016)

Tzara

Continental
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Posts
7,753
A southern poet, from Arkansas, who embraced Modernism, and probably (I am no academic) postmodernism. One-time lover of Frank Stanford, suicide at 29, potential great poet.

We all live complicated lives.

My favorite poem by Ms, Wright ("Remarks on Color," which is based on the book of the same name by the analytic philosopher Ludwig Wittengenstein) is not online, so I instead share this one:
Everything Good between Men and Women
C. D. Wright

has been written in mud and butter
and barbecue sauce. The walls and
the floors used to be gorgeous.
The socks off-white and a near match.
The quince with fire blight
but we get two pints of jelly
in the end. Long walks strengthen
the back. You with a fever blister
and myself with a sty. Eyes
have we and we are forever prey
to each other’s teeth. The torrents
go over us. Thunder has not harmed
anyone we know. The river coursing
through us is dirty and deep. The left
hand protects the rhythm. Watch
your head. No fires should be
unattended. Especially when wind. Each
receives a free swiss army knife.
The first few tongues are clearly
preparatory. The impression
made by yours I carry to my grave. It is
just so sad so creepy so beautiful.
Bless it. We have so little time
to learn, so much... The river
courses dirty and deep. Cover the lettuce.
Call it a night. O soul. Flow on. Instead.​
Rest in peace, Carolyn D.
 
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I've been reading CD Wright off and on the past few days since her death was reported. To me her poems are powerful because they feel true. Here is a video of her reading Lake Echo, Dear. There's a (very short) intro, but stick around for the poem: it's really worth it. RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ycFnNB92Mg
 
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