Jack Gilbert
from the Paris Review Interview, 2005:
GILBERT:
“I think serious poems should make something happen that’s not correct or entertaining or clever. I want something that matters to my heart, and I don’t mean “Linda left me.†I don’t want that. I’ll write that poem, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about being in danger—as we all are—of dying. How can you spend your life on games or intricately accomplished things? And politics? Politics is fine. There’s a place to care for the injustice of the world, but that’s not what the poem is about. The poem is about the heart. Not the heart as in “I’m in love†or “my girl cheated on meâ€â€”I mean the conscious heart, the fact that we are the only things in the entire universe that know true consciousness. We’re the only things—leaving religion out of it—we’re the only things in the world that know spring is coming.”
“We’re the only things—leaving religion out of it—we’re the only things in the world that know spring is coming.”
I call bullshit.
“How can you spend your life on games or intricately accomplished things?”
Easily. I have no idea what this guy means, Jon. Linda left me may be banal, but it’s just as serious to the poet writing it as anything Gilbert seems to be getting at.
“The peom is about the heart….the conscious heart.”
Last time I checked, hearts pumped blood. Consciousness is a faculty of the brain.
Boo, a resounding hiss!
I haven’t read his poems so maybe he’d strike me. This quote doesn’t really motivate to know him, though. I might actually get his point upon yet another re-read, but I’d just as soon be a denouncer today.
Note to self: No drinking and commenting!
Disagreement is good. PWD is harmless too! Hasppy to have you here reading.
Hasppy! and I’m not drunk. I love JG’s poetry. It is very different from most contemporary poetry. I have no idea if you’d like it of course. He is a singular poet and singular human being.