The death of poets is a big deal. I remember being on an interpreting job, working for some people from the Russian state shortly after the break up of the Soviet Union. One of the delegates talked regularly about the necessity of poets expansive language and vision for the long term vitality of a given country or people. And he was in the running for a major post in national government at that time. Such a far cry from the crass utilitarianism of so many governments, countries, leaders, and their policies now. I also remember when Maya Angelou recited her poem on the occasion of Bill Clintons first inauguration. I have always been deeply conflicted about Clinton and his presidency. But at least at his inauguration, he provided a chance for a poet to offer a vision of what it meant to be a people in a particular place and time, not just a collection of individual consumers or useful producers--and all in language that could only open its hearers up to depths of meaning and purpose than we could never have imagined without her verses. One of the most hope-filled, inspired moments of my life. Vechnaya pamyat....................
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 23:05:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015