Hi All:

I have a book which chooses the works of the "greatest" modern poets. Nevertheless, I find their selections faulty.

For instance, take Dorothy Parker's poem, "Resume," drawn from the following site: http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/resume.htm. Here, Dorothy Parker is voicing the opinion that deciding to end one's life is worse than choosing to live. Cutting oneself with a "Razor," for instance, causes "pain." Choosing to sniff gasoline is equally as distasteful, since it emits a nauseating odor. However, everyone is cognizant of the message presented above--it is in no way original.

Unfortunately, her works are mentioned in the same book as Robert Frost, a four time Pulitzer Prize Winner. Here is one of Frost's most recognizable poems, "Fire and Ice," which is taken from the following site: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fire-and-ice/. At a literal level, Frost implies that inhabitants of the Earth will either be destroyed by "fire" or "ice." Common interpretations suggest that "fire" symbolizes that humanity's hatred of one another will lead to global destruction, whereas "ice" is patois for people's indifference towards each other, which, in the end, is capable of creating the same effect. However, unlike Parker's simplistic usage of metaphors, Frost's symbolism is far more complex. Notice that the title of Frost's poem is "Fire and Ice," not "Fire or Ice." This suggests that the poem might not be about meteorological conditions, or two distinct types of human dispositions capable of truncating relationship between humans. Rather, it might be about two modalities of thinking, which, on their face, seem like diametrically opposed sentiments, but are, in actuality, emotions equally capable of terminating all forms of human communication. The feelings, too, are quite similar. Indifference, or the desire not to care about another person, means that one hates an individual internally to the degree that he or she has no regard for that person's well being. Inversely, hate constitutes a type of indifference where one individual externally refuses to associate with another person. This begs an even more profound question: if this breakdown occurs, how would the world function? While quibbling over the precise meaning of the poem is not likely to discontinue, just the manner in which Frost uses polarized elements (i.e., "fire" and "ice") to reflect the truncation of human interaction is remarkable.

Dorothy Parker, by my admission, is a good poet. However, to mention her "Resume," where one can just glance at the poem and comprehend her metaphors, to Frost's "Fire and Ice," which features multiple layers of meaning beneath his relatively straightforward diction, is like comparing Will Smith, an actor who I like and respect, to the great James Earl Jones. And, if comparing Will Smith to James Earl Jones is inconceivable, then one ought not to compare the works of Parker to Frost.

I am, at this juncture, thinking about sending a letter to the editor of the book, and asking why Parker's verse deserves to share company with Frost's poetry.

Regards to All,
QuotidianPerfection

I agree.

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Hi RE Virus,

It is also interesting to note that, in the book which lists the hundred greatest modern poets, Allen Ginsberg, a beatnik composer, is included in the anthology. Now, I do not think that Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" (https://notes.utk.edu/bio/greenberg.nsf/0/6f7dd8b9270db5c585256d0d001e0a93?OpenDocument) should be removed from the text. Upon closer inspection, though, his poem lacks Bob Dylan's timeless symbolism, which, to paraphrase Stevie Wonder, is "relevant" to all ages. Here are some great Dylan poems:

1. "Chimes of Freedom"--from Another Side of Bob Dylan: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/chimes-of-freedom
2. Mr. Tambourine Man--from Bringin' It All Back Home: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/mr-tambourine-man
3. "Gates of Eden"--from Bringin' It All Back Home: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/gates-of-eden
4. "Desolation Row"--from Highway 61 Revisited: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/desolation-row
5. "Visions of Johanna"--from Blonde on Blonde: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/visions-of-johanna
6. "Idiot Wind"--from Blood on the Tracks: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/idiot-wind

If Ginsberg's "Howl" is recognized as a piece of great poetry by this book, then why are the songs listed above--which are far superior to anything Ginsburg ever composed--not included in the anthology?

To snub Dylan, in my opinion, is absolutely rediculous. It completely disregards his contributions to literature. After all, Christopher Ricks, in Robert Shelton's book, No Direction Home, considers Dylan "the best American user of words" (i.e., since John Berryman's suicide). Dylan deserves representation as one of the hundred greatest contemporary poets. Remove Dorothy Parker, and that will create a space for him.

I agree.

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Hi RE Virus,

Thanks for the response. I do not think there is anything more that I can say about this topic, except that it is difficult to accept "literary canons"--chosen by "selective editors"--as "verity." Good luck in your endeavors.

Regards,
QuotidianPerfection

I agree.

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^I agree

Hi benandlucy:

Thank you for the response. Many individuals can write books of poetry which of worthy of receiving the Pulitzer Prize. So, then, why, in the case of two books of poems which equally deserve to be the awarded the Pulitizer Prize, does one win the Pulitizer Prize while the other fails to receive this distinguished award? In my opinion, these decisions are tempered by the commitee which decides upon whether or not a versifier should get the Pulitzer Prize. These committees, over the years, varied in opinion over what constituted a quality selection of poems, and what did not. Hence, when people ascertain a Pulitzer Prize, it is partially continginent on their ability to compose verse. However, serendipity is also a fractional factor which configures into whether or not these poets will have this distinguished award bestowed upon them.