non-self poetry
“Martin: Charles Olson wrote in the sixties about the need for poetry to get rid of ‘the lyrical interference of the ego, of the subject and his soul”. Would this describe what you’re attempting to do? Snyder: Yes, I’m no interested in being a consistent speaking voice, speaking for my own sentiments and sensibilities. Martin: Because? Snyder: Because it’s not interesting. It’s like talking about yourself. Martin: And what is interesting? Snyder: Talking about your nonself! When a bird flies across from one tree to another tree, you can be the bird flying across from one tree to another tree. You don’t have to think about the bird, how you feel about the bird. No difference between self and universe. So just shortcut that illusion” - “Nobody Home; Gary Snyder in conversation with Julia Martin”, pp. 43-44