Friday 27 March 2009

What poetry is always about

In The Information Martin Amis gives us this: 'I know what his poetry will be about. What poetry is always about. The cruelty of the poet’s mistress.'

Very traditionally conceived But cruelty is not the correct word, really. Indifference comes closer to the mark; something mistaken for cruelty, occasionally, by those on the receiving end; but actually very different from it. Poetry is at root at attempt to puncture that indifference; to gain her attention.

1 comment:

Mahendra Singh said...

Is this not a roundabout way of dealing with the relationship problems aired out in your previous entry?

I see a pattern here, another proof positive that 42 was the correct answer after all …