3.07.2003

Henry's Two-Step Program for Escaping the Cardboard Box of Poepastry Clubhouse:

1. Literary Absolute
2. Metaform

Henry's Explanation of Two-Step Program:

I've been reading Donna Tartt's novel The Little Friend. She worked on it ten years & created a world.

I wrote about "metaform" on this blog around 1/23-1/24 or so. Instead of talking to each other so much like a pack of barhound weasels, why not think about the aspects of world & society, the different languages or discourses, which a poet is able to reflect intelligently & curiously in their work? What real or imagined wholenesses of a world are they able to bring to bear & bring to music? That, along with perfect pitch, seems like a useful measure of value, if you have to even think about it. As far as the valueless - making lists of what you don't like - how anal can you get?

This is a little lecture to the younger set. After this I'm not talking to you. I'm interested in the unknown reader, not you louts. Behold Donna Tartt, & be afraid. She might turn her cool & creepy & cultured & satirical measuring rod on you someday.

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