Re: "...it leads me somewhere unexpected, as if the poem has a will and an intention of its own..." I call this "the poem as a ghost in your skull." It absolutely does have its own goals, its own way to reach its blossoming, if only the poet can get out of its way, which takes humility.
Re: "...sometimes this emphasis [on theme in "project books"] seems to take away from the individual poems." I agree. Luke put what's typically missing so well: "something on every page that makes me want to keep reading." That's it: every page. Every poem should be an accomplishment in itself. I guess every poem can't be an absolute stunner, but if every poem could be ... my goodness!
This is so refreshing and interesting! I’ve assumed publishers like project books because the marketing hook is right there. Here’s hoping more publishers will return to/keep looking at collections of strong work. Thank you.
Re: "...it leads me somewhere unexpected, as if the poem has a will and an intention of its own..." I call this "the poem as a ghost in your skull." It absolutely does have its own goals, its own way to reach its blossoming, if only the poet can get out of its way, which takes humility.
Re: "...sometimes this emphasis [on theme in "project books"] seems to take away from the individual poems." I agree. Luke put what's typically missing so well: "something on every page that makes me want to keep reading." That's it: every page. Every poem should be an accomplishment in itself. I guess every poem can't be an absolute stunner, but if every poem could be ... my goodness!
This is so refreshing and interesting! I’ve assumed publishers like project books because the marketing hook is right there. Here’s hoping more publishers will return to/keep looking at collections of strong work. Thank you.
Thanks for this. Time well spent today.