Free Verse: Michael McClure

A central figure of the Beat Generation, Michael McClure has enchanted audiences through his poetry, plays, and performances for nearly six decades and has collaborated with artists such as Wallace Berman, Bruce Connor, and Ray Manzarek. McClure’s poetry is heavily infused with an awareness of nature, especially the animal consciousness that lies dormant in mankind.
Free Verse is copresented by Rain Taxi Review of Books.

[@jwalk2287]

Splendid! 👏

[@BrucePGrether]

I studied poetry with Michael at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, 1972-73 and maintained occasional contact with him over the years since. I saw him read at Naropa in Boulder several times, with Allen Ginsberg and others. He was a remarkable writer and performance reader and human being! I was so shocked when I recently learned of his passing and now have his posthumous (apparently last) book of poems, MULE KICK BLUES. He has had a lasting influence on me, though my own published books (9) are novels, his is the kind of influence that spreads into your entire life and being! - BPG

[@jeremyhennessee6604]

Mr. Grether,
What an amazing experience that must have been for you sir.
I'd very much love to read some of
your Poetry if you have any.
I am new to Beat Poetry and haven't
read much beyond Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti and McClure.
Unfortunately (because of the way my mind is wired to view/process/perceive the world) I oftentimes struggle immensely with interpreting and understanding such poetry. So I think that in many respects it somewhat deprives me of getting the full experience from it.
I LOVE the way it sounds though. The natural rhythms. And it usually causes me to sit in deep contemplation for hrs.
Just trying to figure it all out.
If you have any suggestions on reading I'd be most appreciative as well.
Ty.

[@BrucePGrether]

@@jeremyhennessee6604 One approach is to liberate yourself from the need to analyze and understand poetry. If you just let it flow over you, it will begin to carry you along like a stream or a river, and you will also begin to absorb what it is telling you without a need for intellectual struggle. McClure told us that poetry is halfway between regular talking and song. Though I have published nine books int he last ten years, none are poetry books. I have written a lot of poetry, and still do. But my books are mostly novels, with a couple of non-fiction books. McClure influenced me not just for things he taught me directly… his attitude of curiosity, appetite for living intensely, deeply, were so inspiring! If you respond again, I can give you my email and we can communicate directly a bit.- BPG

[@jeremyhennessee6604]

@@BrucePGrether Ty very much for your response/advice Mr. Grether . (It's very good, interesting advice. But I'm uncertain if I'd be able to follow it to be honest. Though it would be beneficial I think if I were able to.)
I write poetry and short stories. Or should say TRY I suppose, since the majority of my work I've shared (very little of it as it were) has been scoffed at for my tendencies towards classicist rhyme schemes which are more habitual now than intentional. Because while I deeply admire and am intrigued by Blank-Verse/Free Verse and Imagist type works that William Carlos Williams and other wrote, I can't seem to write such work for the life of me!
My email [e-mail]
and I'd be very much grateful and interested in learning more of your views and opinions on Literary Aesthetics or whatever it's termed. (I am not a formerly educated person. Just a construction worker with a love of books who's currently stuck inside due to rain. )
The idea of just letting Intellectual analysis of the work go, and trying to open oneself up to FEEL the words is a good one. For certain. I'm just not sure how one would go about such a thing. It seems sort of Zen in a way.

[@toofar2travel]

Thank you Michael McClure. I had the pleasure and honor of having you as my professor at California College of Arts and Crafts. I have kept the short stories I wrote in your class that in the margins have gentle guidance from you about digging deeper. I kept them because they reflect what is so special about you - what is special about me - you taught me to let my stories pour out by exploring my senses not to write within the constraint of my intellect. That is a gift.

[@matthewmclaughlin4787]

Awesome reading. Would love to see this guy live one day. One of my favourite poets...

[@allisjames]

This is a truly delightful reading of poetry from the master. He writes the way I wish I could write. But to each his own gifts.

[@barefootfrolick]

he is beyond beautiful xx

[@philiphalpenny9761]

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