Poetry Meetup

I'd like to continue our critical readings with an unusual selection.

You will learn somewhere else that this book is a modernist novel. I prefer to think of it as cross genre collection of semi-autobiographical prose poems and flash fiction that is easily the best and easiest gateway to understanding Rilke and his mature poetry. I say easiest with a qualifier. Rilke is notoriously hard, but once you crack the shell - a satisfying reward awaits. Be ready.

The book is not thick, but it is a somewhat slower read. I do not think it was ever intended to be read quickly anyway. Was there ever a book of poetry that one is supposed to read fast?

We are going to focus the discussion on structure and around poetics. It goes without saying that chronology and plot are unconventional even today. And the book came out in 1910.

Please obtain a copy of The Notebooks from your local library, online, or your favorite bookseller. I used the Burton Pike translation.

As always, I'll post zoom link day of the discussion or day prior.

Mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon of love themed poems!

We have a lineup of writers and poets who will perform that afternoon, and since there is a mic ... we might do open mic at the end of the show for those carried away on the wings of Eros.

The event is in the cozy rear of a magazine shop / cafe, and if you like, you will be able to buy a treat, coffee, truffles, etc. The event itself is free, but donations are welcome! Tip jar will be passed around.

Greg H. - Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon - says that poems about any of the following are fair game and can be expected:

Crushes, love at first sight, koi no yokan and general longing
All things positive and negative about dating (apps included)
Quiet moments of intimacy and the actualization of true love
Breakups, separations, the grief and/or liberation of moving on
Spicy bedroom liaisons (will also accept lukewarm-to-disappointing bedroom liaisons)
Being in a committed relationship (or marriage) where the magic has somewhat dimmed, but you're still here and together despite everything
Hell, if you want to throw in a curveball and share a poem about the struggles for self-love, I'll accept that as long as it's not painfully corny

(For non-originals specifically, all eras of writing are open for inclusion. I feel like love poems require the least amount of footnotes in literature.)