Poet & Graduate Assistant

Hi, It's Sharea. I'm your Graduate Assistant for Modern Poetry this wonderful Spring semester. I'll also be the guru for all things Tumblr. Ask me any questions you need and have fun with the content.

[shareathega]

Modern Poetry, working hard on what will become Poe's Poetry Poncho!

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Sylvia Plath interviewed by Peter Orr of the British Council.

Some of this interview is actually used in the Voices & Visions Biography of Plath. It expands beautifully on these conversations and ideas - you also hear Plath talk about how much she loves Sexton’s work. 

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This is one of the most moving Voices and Visions we've seen so far. Take a look at this wonderful documentary of the stellar Sylvia Plath. It runs about an hour, well worth the time.

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Sylvia Plath is the other half of our dynamic duo. Enjoy

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Sexton biographer, Diane Middlebrook discusses her work and the life of Anne Sexton. 

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While there are no documentaries available for Anne Sexton, the Poetry Foundation does a wonderful job expounding upon her life. Take a read, this is great pared with the videos of her in her home.

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Florence Berkman

Every morning, like clockwork, he used to walk down Terry Road about nine o’clock, just about the time I was standing by my kitchen sink. I’d always get a thrill. I the afternoon, he’d walk back, this very slow stride of his. Usually, if it was summer or good weather, I’d be outdoors with some of the neighbors’ children. I’d make them stop and look at him, and I’d say, “I want you to remember this is a great poet.”

I used to walk up and down Terry Road with our cocker spaniel; he wouldn’t even look at me, wouldn’t even talk to me. But he always talked to my husband: he used to work outdoors on Saturday and Sunday; Stevens would be going to the park. But one morning it was pouring. I drove out to the corner, and here was Wallace Stevens standing, absolutely sopping. I didn’t know whether or not to stop because he never acknowledged [my] being on this earth. But I did stop, and I said, “Mr. Stevens, would you like a ride?” He said, “Oh, I’d love it.” He got in the car, and I thought I’d be very proper. “Mr. Stevens, I don’t believe you know who I am. I’m Florence Berkman.” He said, “I know who you are. You live in that little house. I’ve often thought I’d love to see the inside of your house.” This was a carriage house. He talked at length on that trip. He was furious at the New Statesman, the English newspaper, which was very anti-American at the time. It would have been ‘46, ‘47, ‘48. I said, “How do you get time to read? You’re a busy man, and you do so much writing.” He said, “I get up every morning at six o’clock, and I read for two hours.”

From Peter Brazeau, ed. Parts of a World: Wallace Stevens Remembered (San Francisco: North Point Press, 1985), 239.

— Click the link above for the full article —

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Florence Berkman

Every morning, like clockwork, he used to walk down Terry Road about nine o’clock, just about the time I was standing by my kitchen sink. I’d always get a thrill. I the afternoon, he’d walk back, this very slow stride of his. Usually, if it was summer or good weather, I’d be outdoors with some of the neighbors’ children. I’d make them stop and look at him, and I’d say, “I want you to remember this is a great poet.”

I used to walk up and down Terry Road with our cocker spaniel; he wouldn’t even look at me, wouldn’t even talk to me. But he always talked to my husband: he used to work outdoors on Saturday and Sunday; Stevens would be going to the park. But one morning it was pouring. I drove out to the corner, and here was Wallace Stevens standing, absolutely sopping. I didn’t know whether or not to stop because he never acknowledged [my] being on this earth. But I did stop, and I said, “Mr. Stevens, would you like a ride?” He said, “Oh, I’d love it.” He got in the car, and I thought I’d be very proper. “Mr. Stevens, I don’t believe you know who I am. I’m Florence Berkman.” He said, “I know who you are. You live in that little house. I’ve often thought I’d love to see the inside of your house.” This was a carriage house. He talked at length on that trip. He was furious at the New Statesman, the English newspaper, which was very anti-American at the time. It would have been ‘46, ‘47, ‘48. I said, “How do you get time to read? You’re a busy man, and you do so much writing.” He said, “I get up every morning at six o’clock, and I read for two hours.”

From Peter Brazeau, ed. Parts of a World: Wallace Stevens Remembered (San Francisco: North Point Press, 1985), 239.

— Click the link above for the full article —

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Dear Modern Poetry class, 

We have to make a couple of significant changes to our schedule this week. Tuesday March 4 is "Scholarship Day" as you have heard, and the faculty is to allow their students to attend. What that means is that I will not hold class from 11-12:15 in order for you to attend one of the presentations. We will begin class at 12:15. I want you to attend one session, either at 9:30 or 11. I am participating in a Creative Writing Faculty Reading at 9:30 if that is of interest to you. If not, choose something else. Please write a short response about the session you attended and email it to me; this will count toward your participation grade. 

For class, we will share Gertrude Stein poems in small groups, discuss Williams and talk about the essay assignment that will be due on March 18. I know that's spring break, but you can still post it by that time. I don't want to put it off any further. 

We won't have a quiz on the glossary of poetic terms on Tuesday, you'll be happy to hear! But please review them.

The following week, March 11, the amazing Gayle Danley is coming to talk with us and read some of her poems. If you have a poem you'd like to share with her, please bring it. 

Linked here is the Scholarship Day schedule. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

-Professor Kopelke 

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Let's Talk William Carlos Wiliams! Annotated Poem

In lieu of a discussion question you'll be turning in an annotated poem from your Williams' packet. Check the Poetic Terms page on the blog (which you are also reviewing for homework) to identify these devices in your poem. Your annotations should also include some of the points we discussed during our in-class conversation on annotations. Most importantly, include some points where Williams' career and poems intersect. 

Bring these points with you to class and enjoy what the MPC has to offer on the wonderful world of William Carlos Williams! 

Enjoy. 

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Dickinson Discussion Question: Notice

Hey Everyone! 

So sorry for the delay with the discussion question. I'm having a few technical difficulties and have been trying to get them fixed. Hoping to have it up and within the hour! Thank so much to everyone who's checked in, and thanks for your patience! 

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Nature is a haunted house, but Art, a house that tries to be haunted.

Emily Dickinson

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You’ve done a great job answering the questions so far. You’ve all brought some very interesting points together about the type of America Whitman believed in and the way in which this changing environment, shaped his voice and his work. Metamorphosis, identity, and individuality were themes you...

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Happy Birthday Langston Hughes!

We haven't gotten to Langston Hughes and wont for another three weeks, but I couldn't let the day pass without just a little love to this wonderful American Poet. Friends and I celebrated last night by listening to Hughes read a few of his own works and talking about our own favorite works of his. We all really loved Hughes' work but agreed that his chronicles of Simple run out for us all.

How will you celebrate ?

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Greetings Everyone! Great job to those who’ve already answered question one! Stick around and see if you have any input as the discussion blossoms. For those who haven’t answered the question yet, never fret! The conversation is just getting started and you can answer the following question:

…

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# Walt Whitman # question two. As part of my answer to question one, I said I felt Walt Whitman was philosophical. He implored people not to listen and take what is given to them without examining and filtering it for ones self. He basked in the delight of now, not yesterday or tomorrow. I feel he new how divided our country was becoming and didn’t shy away from the controversy of that time, but sought a way to show a different way. He freely spoke of how he felt kindred to all of mankind. He most assuredly must have been a Christian, as he seemingly had a strong grasp of scripture. He undoubtedly was a fan of Socrates as well. I don’t know these for facts, but to me it is apparent in his first work. I have never been more moved by a piece of poetry before. My eyes well with tears. Unbelievably moving # leaves of grass. 

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Wonderful observations, I'd encourage you to fact check those observations and see how their status as truth or product of your own experience, change the meaning of the work.

I am so glad that you're enjoying the work of Whitman and allowing it to move and transform through you. I hope every single one of you has such an experience with at least one poem this semester.

<3 Sharea

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Modern Poetry Companion

Hey Guys!

This is not the main blog to follow. Make sure you're following the Modern Poetry Companion (MPC) so you get all the latest updates, discussion questions and information.

This blog was created as an accidental addition. However, I'll find something cool to do with it that can help and aid to the class. I'll use this account and blog to comment on your discussion questions and posts on your student blog. So you can follow me or not, doesn't matter. If you'd like me to give you private feedback make sure to enable fan mail and/or open your ask box.