Tag Archives: poetry

On the Problem and Promise of Alex Caldiero’s Sonosophy

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In January of 2011, I shared my dissertation proposal on Alex Caldiero’s sonosophy and my comprehensive Ph.D. exam lists with the community at A Motley Vision. I passed my comps in early June 2012 and defended my dissertation the first day of May this year. I won’t lie: while I’ve been changed as a person and a scholar by engaging… Read more »

“Music Shall Be Thy Name”: Jim Richards’ “Octave”

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Jim Richards’ “Octave” Post 26/31 in my A Mother Here reading series. (Click/tap here to read the poem.) Poem: https://1fb2e55140d2bb482435ce86bbc7e8418ca037cb.googledrive.com/host/0B0EZsE0-ymvDfmt5enFsUXhOVjJEdGZKWmViTDRBdzZVdUVPQkVOazFLNGt1N0Nmc0JmRXc/26-Richards_Octave.mp3 (Direct link to audio file.) Commentary: https://1ff8b0f79f59a629d58a9ec8f7c4afcfe4d458fc.googledrive.com/host/0B0EZsE0-ymvDNGhvY3NzVjlvMTA/26-Comment%20on%20Richards_Octave.mp3 (Direct link to audio file.)

After the Manner of Our Language: Melody Newey’s “Word of God”

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"Songbook" from Damien M. on Flickr (BY NC ND)

Melody Newey’s “Word of God” Post 15/31 in my A Mother Here reading series. (Click/tap here to read the poem.) Poem: http://fireinthepasture.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/15-Newey_Word-of-God.mp3 (Direct link to audio file.) Commentary: http://fireinthepasture.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/15-Comment-on-Newey_Word-of-God.mp3 (Direct link to audio file.)

Alex Caldiero’s Performative Poesis:
Making, the Makar, and Mormonism

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Making, the Makar, and Mormonism

Earlier this month, I presented some of my research on Alex Caldiero’s sonosophy at the AML Conference. After I posted my presentation proposal here, Scott also posted his, and Th. expressed his hope that we would record our papers “for the internet since that’s the only way nonattendees can be assured of hearing them later.” Th.’s request solidified my intention… Read more »

Notes on How to Read a Poem

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I’m of two minds about National Poetry Month. In one sense, I appreciate the effort (initiated by the Academy of American Poets and institutionalized in April 1996 by President Clinton’s administration) “to highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets; [to] introduce Americans to the pleasures and benefits of reading poetry; [to] bring poets and poetry to the… Read more »

Remembering Paul

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Today is the anniversary of Paul Swenson’s birth. If my calculations are correct, he was born in 1935 and would have turned 78 this year. I’ve thought about him off and on since he passed, mostly because I know that at the time of his death he was working with Dream Garden Press to publish his second poetry collection. According… Read more »

My 2012 AML Conference Proposal

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I just submitted this proposal for next year’s Association for Mormon Letters Conference. The conference theme: “Going Forth Into All the World: Mormon Literature in an International Church.” I hope it tastes international enough for the organizers’ palate. * * * “Situating Sonosophy: De/constructing Alex Caldiero’s ‘Poetarium.’” Contemporary Utah poet Alex Caldiero‘s performative mode of poetry and poetics, which he… Read more »

Language—and Beyond Language: Lisa Bickmore’s “Dog Aria”

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Anthology Poet Highlight 23/82: Lisa Bickmore, “Dog Aria” Lisa’s poem is about a dog. And not about a dog. On the surface the poet narrates her dachsund’s relationship with water and with song, showing the canine “baying adagio,” swimming “among the staves”—the movements of the sprinklers, the dishwasher, the washing machine—as the hush of water grows thick in his ears… Read more »

Alex Caldiero’s “Seeing a Body”: The Shape Sound Makes

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Anthology Poet Highlight 20/82: Alex Caldiero, “Seeing a Body” This poem, which I’ve taken to calling “Seeing a Body” for ease of reference, melds performance and content in order to compel an awareness of the body’s connection to the earth and to language and sound—even to compel an awareness of the body’s connection to the earth and to tradition through… Read more »