So, this blog-thing experiment will hopefully work...while writing (or rather) when I think about writing in this space I find myself concerned about my audience. I explained this to my 305 class on the first day...my over-obsession (and therefore denial) of audience. It makes me wonder about self-censure; how, not only here but in our poetry, do we censure what needs to be written?
For example, here I wonder whether I should write my initial responses about Olson's Maximus; the answer undoubtedly would be "why the hell not?" But there's a weirdness to it. Part of me, arrogantly postures, "But I don't want to ruin it for the others; or, I don't want them to think just as I" because that would be less fun and less interesting. As though I have some sort of end-all, definitive and perfect understanding of Olson's opus. But, part of me wants the risk: why not put what I think and therefore challenge others to either agree or come up with something different. This is what I gather...this is the agreement I hold to you who are in English 305 and are forced to read this Maximus (because you took section blank from me and not another)...I write what I encounter and feel forced or enticed to write here, and we ponder it together. You tell me what you think, what you feel, what you see and understand; and I'll attempt to do likewise...this thing that is the blog, being likewise and perhaps more so, a foreign body...an alien thing I like not but feel might stretch me further. I encounter this thing, perhaps, to better understand it. To reckon what this obsession and interest is in the electronic journal, especially considering the number of contemporary poets utilizing this type of space.
Anyway, regarding Maximus...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
So, I was reading your blog and wanted to tell you how, I, also, have become concious of audience. But I have already found myself sensoring, or maybe taming, due to this. It's really strange, and scary, but a rush, to just hit PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT. Yes, just publish it and let everyone else deal with it. It's a strange feeling. I never had to LET anyone read my journal. I have found myself wondering if people are going to think I'm unintelligent, boring, offensive, etc. I guess I'll find out. Thank you, by the way. I feel so free to write in your class. REALLY write. It feels like good meds. Like I have to take them. I don't feel like a child--regulated. And thank you for making our assignments a little less intense. I was really worried. I like to do well....
Post a Comment