MFA Program, Continued

Don't read nothing but contemporary American poetry.

It is extremely limiting. It really is not really all that important to know the difference between Thomas Lux, Thomas Lynch, and Thomas McGrath. I certainly don't. Which one is the funeral director? See, I don't know either.

Study the truly great ones. I will gladly supply you with names. (Sorry for the imperious Poundian tone!) Learn French to read Reverdy.

Later: more on language and voice.