Simple query

[CharleyH]

Out of the wealth of poets one loves, who are your modern favourites? I'd say that Leonard Cohen is interesting in this regard, but I'm still not sure if he is exactly modern, anymore. How does one weigh the weight of of Cohen against, say, JayZ or Eminem?

 

[CharleyH]

Sad to see no shows (not that I think this thread worth it), just sad to witness so many depart. Sigh - the end of an era.

 

[PoetGuy]

Sad to see no shows (not that I think this thread worth it), just sad to witness so many depart. Sigh - the end of an era.

The question, as phrased, seemed to Poet Guy to be difficult to answer, particularly if Leonard Cohen is potentially not "modern" and Jay-Z and Eminem are considered "modern poets." Poet Guy has nothing against the latter two, and recognizes that many might consider hip-hop to be a modern form of poetry, but to Poet Guy, they more accurately represent popular music. Again, nothing against popular music, but it seems a rather different thing.

This may be part of why poetry is in decline, at least in the United States.

Poet Guy reads a number of different contemporary poets, but is unsure he would say that he loves any of them, as he tends to love individual poems rather than a poet's entire oeuvre. He has tended to like Kim Addonizio, Dorianne Laux, Tony Hoagland, Kay Ryan, and Thomas Lux, though. Many more than that, but that gives you a few names as example.

 

[bronzeage]

If we allow Jay-Z and Emimem into the poet's pantheon, we have to go back and pick up a lot others who were excluded. Neil Diamond, Bernie Taupin, and of course Kris Kristopherson.

Songwriting is a much more forgiving medium than poetry.

The original question is "Who are your favorite modern poets?"

If Leonard is allowed on the list, he is still alive, so that has to count for something, I would start with him.

"I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
you were talking so brave and so sweet,
giving me head on the unmade bed,
while the limousines wait in the street.
Those were the reasons and that was New York,
we were running for the money and the flesh.
And that was called love for the workers in song
probably still is for those of them left."

This piece ends with one of the most haunting lines I ever read:

"I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
that's all, I don't even think of you that often."

 

[bogusagain]

For me, Tony Harrison. A little long in the tooth now but I still think he's great.

I love his poem V

 

[twelveoone]

For me, Tony Harrison. A little long in the tooth now but I still think he's great.

I love his poem V

I liked this, thanks

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

For me, Tony Harrison. A little long in the tooth now but I still think he's great.

I love his poem V

Holy Cow! That is amazing. Thanks for posting it.

 

[butters]

For me, Tony Harrison. A little long in the tooth now but I still think he's great.

I love his poem V

really good reading. it says a lot but isn't hard work as it embraces the reader and brings them along for the ride. nice post, bogus.

 

[bogusagain]

I'm really glad you all like this poem. I have to admit my bias, he comes from a similar working class background to me and the part of the country I grew up in (though not born). I try to divorce myself from the fact that a flat Yorkshire working class accent is behind the words but it is difficult.

His best-known poem is the fairly long V. (1985), written during the miners' strike of 1984-85, and describing a trip to see his parents' grave in a Leeds cemetry "now littered with beer cans and vandalised by obscene graffiti".

 

[sweepthefloor]

"I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
you were talking so brave and so sweet,
giving me head on the unmade bed,
while the limousines wait in the street.
Those were the reasons and that was New York,
we were running for the money and the flesh.
And that was called love for the workers in song
probably still is for those of them left."

This piece ends with one of the most haunting lines I ever read:

"I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
that's all, I don't even think of you that often."

I believe this piece must have been written for me.

 

[bronzeage]

I believe this piece must have been written for me.

From the second verse:

"You told me again, you preferred handsome men,
but for me you'd make and exception."

It should have been written for you, but it was actually written for Janis Joplin.