"with her little whips and hoops, the very circus of my wildest hopes, I've seen it, memorized it all, choo choo goes the train torward the deja vu." These aren't nursery rhymes but chimes, trains, fire, desire and many more I misssd. An amazing poem made better by your reading. Thanks, Joshua. James Merrill's verse is pleasing, profound and melifluous. You're spoiling us and I love it.
Thank you so much, Frank! That is what I love about James Merrill’s poetry, but also what intimidates me. It’s often conversational, personal and mellifluous; but it is also filled with wordplay and difficult vocabulary. Thank you again.
Hey the Seamus Heaney collection an appearance!! That's really awesome, and I loved the reading of Serenades, what a beautiful yet simple poem. I wonder if the sounds he's emulating with the crow and the "ack-ack" are poetic allusions to gunfire during the Troubles. I know he was in Belfast for those early years, and the war imagery of no-man's land and the chemicals really leads me in that direction. Either way a great poem that, for me, really captures the calloused response that normal people have to develop to live through violent times like that. Great video and I look forward to the next one!!
Brilliant! I hadn’t even considered that, but it makes absolute sense. The no man’s land and the combines and chemicals, all fit into that interpretation. And you referred to ME as the poetry expert! I think not.
I love that relaxed, conversational poetics of Merrill - he is such a gem. Have you seen the popular film, 'In Her Shoes'? It's wonderful, & features some poems by Bishop & Cummins, I love it. And thanks for introducing me to Boland, I will search her out & read a lot more, terrific. Really enjoyed your reading - wonderful.
Yeah, conversational is the perfect adjective; I think that is what makes me at times prefer modern poetry to older poetry. Just the immediacy of the language. I’ve never heard of that movie, but thank you for the recommendation! I like hearing about all these movies that you mention. And yeah, Boland has been very interesting. My knowledge of modern poets is still limited, but it has been slowly expanding as I’m getting into the habit of reading more modern poetry.
I loved this! I could really see you going "into the zone" there. There is nothing like being totally absorbed. Thanks, I enjoyed this.
Thank you, Helen! I had a lot of fun reading it all, especially the Merrill poem! 😁😁😁
"with her little whips and hoops,
the very circus of my wildest hopes,
I've seen it, memorized it all, choo choo
goes the train torward the deja vu."
These aren't nursery rhymes but chimes, trains, fire, desire and many more I misssd. An amazing poem made better by your reading. Thanks, Joshua. James Merrill's verse is pleasing, profound and melifluous. You're spoiling us and I love it.
Thank you so much, Frank! That is what I love about James Merrill’s poetry, but also what intimidates me. It’s often conversational, personal and mellifluous; but it is also filled with wordplay and difficult vocabulary. Thank you again.
Hey the Seamus Heaney collection an appearance!! That's really awesome, and I loved the reading of Serenades, what a beautiful yet simple poem. I wonder if the sounds he's emulating with the crow and the "ack-ack" are poetic allusions to gunfire during the Troubles. I know he was in Belfast for those early years, and the war imagery of no-man's land and the chemicals really leads me in that direction. Either way a great poem that, for me, really captures the calloused response that normal people have to develop to live through violent times like that. Great video and I look forward to the next one!!
Brilliant! I hadn’t even considered that, but it makes absolute sense. The no man’s land and the combines and chemicals, all fit into that interpretation. And you referred to ME as the poetry expert! I think not.
Got it in just under the wire. 👏
(Not mumbling incorrectly btw.)
Thank you, David. You are really kind.
I love that relaxed, conversational poetics of Merrill - he is such a gem. Have you seen the popular film, 'In Her Shoes'? It's wonderful, & features some poems by Bishop & Cummins, I love it. And thanks for introducing me to Boland, I will search her out & read a lot more, terrific. Really enjoyed your reading - wonderful.
Yeah, conversational is the perfect adjective; I think that is what makes me at times prefer modern poetry to older poetry. Just the immediacy of the language.
I’ve never heard of that movie, but thank you for the recommendation! I like hearing about all these movies that you mention.
And yeah, Boland has been very interesting. My knowledge of modern poets is still limited, but it has been slowly expanding as I’m getting into the habit of reading more modern poetry.
@@joshuacreboreads: That is great. I mostly read & review modern poetry. I have been very lucky to have made it my job.
So many great poems here, Josh. I am very interested in Merrill these days. Thank you for this combination poetry reading and discussion.
Thank you, Pat!!! I’m glad you liked it. I seem to return to Merrill a lot here - I guess because he’s just a favourite of mine.
@@joshuacreboreads He's a great poet to have as a favorite!