[New-Poetry] Who is the Best Poet

[Bob Grumman]

>>>Thanks for the correction, Sam--my excuse is that the Times is advertised 
>>>in the upper righthand corner of the page Kirsch's
> article
>>>starts on--and the Sun logo looks a little Timesish.  Plus, Kirsch does 
>>>write NY Time litcrit!
>>>
>>>Didn't know he was a student of Vendler's.  Does he write poetry himself, 
>>>do you know?
>>>
>>>--Bob
>
> Yes Kirsch has a book out - "The Thousand Wells - Winner of the New 
> Criterion
> Poetry Prize" according to Amazon. You know, those wonderful folks who
> bring you William Logan every too often.

Ah, yes--I knew the name was pretty familiar to me.  I read the New 
Criterion front to back every issue.  They have literate writers who are 
very good, I think, for keeping one up-to-date on how the art of fifty years 
ago is doing.

> I heard Kirsch speak at West Chester a few years ago - he was surprisingly
> eloquent at about 27 years old - but how much can he know, he's still 
> damp.
>
> I thought James Tate was America's best poet.
>
> Richard

Didn't you read James's post about America's "leading critic," Helen 
Vendler, Richard?  She would set you straight: America's best poet is John 
Ashbery.

I find it amusing that pundits who are about twenty percent as familiar with 
what's going on in American poetry today as I am are able so confidently to 
say who our best poet is--when I sure don't have sufficient data to do so 
(assuming I'd have the judgement to if I did have sufficient data).

--Bob G.