2008 Woodie Awards
Finding meaning in found poetry
Reknowned poet Ron Padgett shares his work with campus
Adam Davis
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: Style
"… Questioning our assumptions and usual ways of thinking." This statement concluded another one of professor Steve Evans creatively pragmatic introductions and could not ring more true for visiting poet Ron Padgett.
Poet Ted Berrigan once described Padgett in a poem as a "tight-ass," however, Padgett proved to be anything but uptight. Padgett, in a sense, is a living piece of history - a loose member of what is commonly referred to as the "New York School" - or "Frank O'Hara's Progenies," as some are fond of referring to them. He has known and worked with innumerable figures and institutions of American poetry over the last half-century. Padgett remains, as is indicated in his poetry, casual and conversive.
Though Padgett is the author of numerous collections, translations and memoirs, he read entirely from his newest collection "How To Be Perfect." Kicking the reading off with a poem entitled "Mortal Combat," amoungst the encumbering forest of creaking chairs and a venue as utilitarian as a forklift. Padgett read about fifteen poems that ranged in content considerably. He displayed daring versatility using found poetry, High art reference and cinematic influence, politics, and cultural observations. His reading voice was slight, with a subtle rasp, while displaying near perfect posture and stopping often between works to comment, glasses in hand.
A pleasant surprise waited for the more receptive of students at the end of the evening, when the poet took questions. The questions ranged the spectrum in theme and topic, yet the poet responded with unexpected compassion and precision of speech. When asked why he writes poetry, more specifically why in his particular style, he began by saying, "If I can't give myself permission to write anything I want, than why should I do it?" He continued to espouse his love of language, of Apollinaire and the plight of literary politics. What was most striking when listening to Padgett speak was what seemed to be his interaction with language, a love perpetually renewing itself. All poets are in love with language, but to hear a man who has been deep in the world of poetry for almost 50 years talk in such a manor leaves a sizable impression.
Padgett is currently involved in a myriad of different projects - he will be appearing on "Prairie Home Companion" late this fall. One can find out more about him on his web site http://www.ronpadgett.com.
There are numerous other writers visiting this fall, the next of which will be Joanne Kyger who will be reading on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. in Soderberg Auditorium.
Poet Ted Berrigan once described Padgett in a poem as a "tight-ass," however, Padgett proved to be anything but uptight. Padgett, in a sense, is a living piece of history - a loose member of what is commonly referred to as the "New York School" - or "Frank O'Hara's Progenies," as some are fond of referring to them. He has known and worked with innumerable figures and institutions of American poetry over the last half-century. Padgett remains, as is indicated in his poetry, casual and conversive.
Though Padgett is the author of numerous collections, translations and memoirs, he read entirely from his newest collection "How To Be Perfect." Kicking the reading off with a poem entitled "Mortal Combat," amoungst the encumbering forest of creaking chairs and a venue as utilitarian as a forklift. Padgett read about fifteen poems that ranged in content considerably. He displayed daring versatility using found poetry, High art reference and cinematic influence, politics, and cultural observations. His reading voice was slight, with a subtle rasp, while displaying near perfect posture and stopping often between works to comment, glasses in hand.
A pleasant surprise waited for the more receptive of students at the end of the evening, when the poet took questions. The questions ranged the spectrum in theme and topic, yet the poet responded with unexpected compassion and precision of speech. When asked why he writes poetry, more specifically why in his particular style, he began by saying, "If I can't give myself permission to write anything I want, than why should I do it?" He continued to espouse his love of language, of Apollinaire and the plight of literary politics. What was most striking when listening to Padgett speak was what seemed to be his interaction with language, a love perpetually renewing itself. All poets are in love with language, but to hear a man who has been deep in the world of poetry for almost 50 years talk in such a manor leaves a sizable impression.
Padgett is currently involved in a myriad of different projects - he will be appearing on "Prairie Home Companion" late this fall. One can find out more about him on his web site http://www.ronpadgett.com.
There are numerous other writers visiting this fall, the next of which will be Joanne Kyger who will be reading on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. in Soderberg Auditorium.
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