For the past thirty years or so, much American poetry has been marked by an earnestness that rejects the comic. This has nothing to do with seriousness. The comic can be very serious. The trouble with the earnest is that it seeks to be commended. It seeks to be praised for its intention more than for what it is saying.
Let's say someone has experienced a violent trauma or betrayal: a child has been raped by a parent or has witnessed the destruction of someone he lov… - Stephen Dobyns
Let's say someone has experienced a violent trauma or betrayal: a child has been raped by a parent or has witnessed the destruction of someone he lov…
- Stephen Dobyns
Writing is a job, a craft, and you learn it by trying to write every day and by facing the page with humility and gall. And you have to love to read … - Stephen Dobyns
Writing is a job, a craft, and you learn it by trying to write every day and by facing the page with humility and gall. And you have to love to read …
When a philosopher, scientist, or psychologist discusses the discrepancy between the actual and the ideal, he or she attempts to convince us with the… - Stephen Dobyns
When a philosopher, scientist, or psychologist discusses the discrepancy between the actual and the ideal, he or she attempts to convince us with the…
Most women are more into real estate than sex. They want to own you. - Stephen Dobyns
Most women are more into real estate than sex. They want to own you.
Many of my poems try to use a comic element to reach a place that isn't comic at all. The comic element works as a surprise. It is unexpected and ene… - Stephen Dobyns
Many of my poems try to use a comic element to reach a place that isn't comic at all. The comic element works as a surprise. It is unexpected and ene…
Actions have consequences. Ignorance about the nature of those actions does not free a person from responsibility for the consequences. (28) - Stephen Dobyns
Actions have consequences. Ignorance about the nature of those actions does not free a person from responsibility for the consequences. (28)
One writes a poem when one is so taken up by an emotional concept that one is unable to remain silent. - Stephen Dobyns
One writes a poem when one is so taken up by an emotional concept that one is unable to remain silent.
Reading a good poem can give me a far bigger kick than a novel. But it's not something I can keep doing. It would be like shooting up 10 times a day. - Stephen Dobyns
Reading a good poem can give me a far bigger kick than a novel. But it's not something I can keep doing. It would be like shooting up 10 times a day.
Each thing I do, I rush through, so I can do something else. - Stephen Dobyns
Each thing I do, I rush through, so I can do something else.
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