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Fallacies
At some level we understand that it’s futile and foolish to deny the importance of authorial intention. If literary theorists really believed that grasping authorial intention is a “fallacy,” they would not read poems—they would simply interview readers about the poems they’ve read. After all, the value of a poem (some theorists say) is primarily in the reader’s view of the poem, not in the poem itself, and certainly not in any intentions the poet may have had in writing it. The truth is that we can only deny the primacy of authorial intention if we first abstract the poem—if…Read More
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Buddhism, Darwinism, Avant-Garde
In an earlier post I gave myself permission to post fragments. So here goes…. ===== I’ve been reading the new book by my favorite philosopher, Buddhist thinker David R. Loy. Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution pulls together shorter pieces written for magazines, and the venue seems to have encouraged great concentration and great simplicity in Loy, who is typically (anyway) capable of moving from the just-shy-of-obscure to flashes of brilliance with ease. One essay that captured my attention is “The Suffering of Self.” Loy argues the familiar Buddhist point of view that the Self is “our…Read More
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A Conversation in Progress II
This continues my conversation with Reginald Shepherd regarding his recent post on Harriet. Of course, there they are mixed in with all sorts of commentary from other readers, so I’m culling the latest installments of our conversation for presentation here. ++++ Dear Joseph, Thanks for your thoughtful and eloquent comment. I think that we do in fact disagree, but I will try to clarify my position. (How odd, to have “positions.” But I guess I do.) I don’t want to engage in a ridiculous comparison, but whatever the author’s intention, mine or Shakespeare’s, if it’s not manifested in the work…Read More
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
