Reading Poetry

Last Saturday night I attended the Pratt Lecture at MUN's campus. The speaker was Canada's parliamentary poet laureate, John Steffler.

Since I am writing my Masters exit paper on the 'problems of teaching poetry' and the theme for Steffler's speech was 'The Uses of Poetry' I thought I should attend. Plus, I am currently teaching a poetry unit in school. One stone, many birds.

The speech was decent, and the free wine and cheese was yummy. Before I left I looked at the texts on sale that were written by Steffler. I selected 'That Night We Were Ravenous.' Poems set within the experience of natural world, often throughout rural Newfoundland.

I am enjoying it so far. Now back to my poetry paper. Due tomorrow.

Slowly, slowly getting through it

Because of my Masters, I have not been doing much pleasure reading. So my wife ignored my requests for the latest short stories publications and declared, "I'm not buying you any more books until you read the ones I already bought you."

I can't blame her. I guess. ;)

So over the holidays I have ignored 'Life of Pi' and continued with Leonard Cohen's latest collection of poems, 'Book of Longing' which my wife gave me last xmas.

I gotta say, it is a struggle getting through it. In my early 20's I LOVED Cohen, music and words. Now, reading his newest work leaves me disappointed. It feels like rambling thoughts, with a few pictures or graphics tossed here or there. Maybe he needed the $$ after getting screwed over by his manager!

I'll finish it. Hopefully I will read a gem or two among the pages.