In January 2001 I began publishing an irregular newsletter online called The Possum Pouch. It was formatted as an HTML page that Jerrold Shiroma was kind enough to help manage. Since January 2003, when I moved to the blog format, I've been struggling with the form these notes should take. At times, I'm tempted to sign off. Other times, I enjoy the quick immediacy. As of today, I'm going to approach the blog less formally, channeling my critical work into essays for my bookslut.com column and other periodicals as they pop up. Frankly, I'm exhausted writing about poetry. Hence, these Black Stones have been a great relief.
Another part of me is ready for battle. Imagine if Pound, Duncan or Stein had blogs. How would that shape the discourse in cyberspace among poets? Pound certainly would have used the medium, or so I intuit.
A lot of people survive these po-scenes by activating a cult of personality. I want to examine, casually, daily in a blog, the disintegrated cultural forms we've inherited. How we move with language in divers spaces. Maybe I'm kidding myself. Perhaps this angle will fail. Don't know. I'll continue to give what I can to this space for now. First up is Spengler. More on him in coming days.
Posted by Dale at July 4, 2004 10:27 PMWell, Pound had a radio show for a while. That didn't turn out so well. I wonder if anyone archives these vast collections of poe-blogging. There is certainly plenty of material to provide embarrasment for ex-blogging poets as they age. Nothing like Pound's broadcasts (that I know of), thank-a-deity, but compelling nonetheless.
Will miss your presence here, Dale, but I look forward to the new efforts. Vote goat!
- dan
Posted by: dan bouchard on July 7, 2004 02:21 PMGreat conclusion to Black Stone, Dale. I've kept up from the start. Your work is essential. "...in these times..." Mucho thanks!
Posted by: Kim Dorman on July 7, 2004 05:30 PMDale, I really enjoyed the Black Stone series.
I think you're right that Pound would have had a blog. And definitely Stein. Though I can't help but feel that Duncan would have been opposed to the phenomenon...
Best,
Tim
Posted by: Tim Peterson on July 7, 2004 10:29 PMPS should also add that I think most blogs don't have much to do with poetry (present company excepted, of course)
Posted by: Tim Peterson on July 7, 2004 10:33 PMThe interaction of the poet and the blog - it's HOT
I still don't like the word blog
That's my main objection