I've never won any academic awards. I've never had any major publishers print any of my work, so it's unlikely you've heard of me, and less likely you've read any of my poetry. If you're curious about who I am, as a poet, I'd like to send you a copy of one of my books. Really, I'd prefer to exchange a book of mine with one of yours - that way we can learn a little about each other, which I feel is a much more rewarding goal.
So, who am I poetically? I prefer John Berryman to Alan Ginsberg, because I believe Berryman dreamed & captured that dream in his DREAM SONGS. I believe Ginsberg also dreamed, but after HOWL and KADDISH, I question if he was able to convey that dream in a way I cared to discover.
I also prefer William Everson to Charles Bukowski, though I do like Bukowski. Bukowski, I think, said most of what he had to say as a poet in one or two books. Everson on the other hand, died still mastering his poetical voice 25 books later.
OK, that tells you little about what I am poetically, only the preferences behind my poetry. To learn about my poetry, you have to read it. The same is true for your poetry. It needs to be read by someone other than yourself to be fully appreciated. I believe most of what is published by the major presses in America is worth reading. It is not the only good poetry being written, not the only poetry worth reading. I wish there was funding to publish and distribute all the quality poetry available. I applaud the poets of major presses. Bravo! for the ability to keep their dreams and integrity and find someone willing to pay them for their work. However, that doesn't work for most poets. Through small presses (and the exchange of books) - there is an avenue to get SOME of that other work in print. It may never get you rich or famous, but it may get you read - which I believe should be the real goal of poets. With the cost of photo copies, a poet can put together a chapbook rather inexpensively. It is a task that is not impossible to master. I'd be happy to help with basic information for those interested. So, I ask you all to write, to edit, to produce great poetry - and to share that poetry with other poets. Seek out other poets. Believe in yourself and your poetry. Send me a book and I'll gladly return the favor. Better yet, send me 2 copies. I'll keep one and pass one onto a friend. I'll send 2 copies in return so you can do the same. Possibly we can become friends. If nothing else, we can become poets who dared to believe in poetry and dream, to have poetry become something alive, rather than wishing some publisher would finally discover our talents, only to die unknown, undiscovered, unread. contact information:
Kenn Mitchell: echopark@uswest.net