I just had the best review I’ll probably ever get. No matter what. Because it’s the first time anyone has ever said such things about my poetry. The Pedestal just posted a review of Femme au chapeau by Terri Brown-Davidson that makes me want to quit sending out envelopes, stop plugging my book and stay home and write. And work hard. Because she completely connected with what I was hoping I was doing.
It’s an experience that will stay with me. It’s funny, because my first book had a scathing review — or I thought it was — from a poet who’s now a good friend. This friend thinks I made great progress between books. It’s the sort of critique you believe, coming from someone you used to consider an enemy. (I won’t mention the days of pin-sticking-in-doll thing, or the dark curses flung in despair — kind of like what we watched on Rome.)
When strangers read exactly what you wrote in a poem, how does it make you feel?
Wonderstruck here. Like this magic machine made of words really works, revolves and throws out sparks and beams. Creates a laser line that connects us right through.
Oh yeah. The link to the review.
Hey David —
Thanks! It’s nice to be on Silliman’s encyclopedic blog-list. Look for an email from me about the book.
Rachel
Rachel,
happy to hear of your happy experience! This reminds, I’ve gotta get a copy of book! —
I’ll read first, then the linked review (prefer to form my own ideas initially).
btw I landed here just now (again) perusing Ron Silliman’s superbly catholic roster of poet-blogs (and noting yours on the list).
Looking forward to the hat-book + what comes next…
cheers,
d.i.