VOCARIUM READING SERIES: Anselm Berrigan & Kate Colby

TL;DR

Mary Walker Graham introduces two poets, Anselm Berrigan and Kate Colby, who share their unique perspectives on the human voice and the power of language.

Transcript

MARY WALKER GRAHAM: I'm Mary Graham, the assistant curator here at the Poetry Room. And tonight, I'm delighted to introduce you to two new poets in our Vocarium Reading Series-- Anselm Berrigan and Kate Colby. The Vocarium for which this series is named was founded in 1933 by a professor of public speaking named Frederick C. Packard Jr., Whose visi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤑 The Vocarium Reading Series has a rich history of preserving the voices of poets from the past and showcasing new talent.
• 👾 Anselm Berrigan's poetry explores space and consciousness through long, curious sentences that evoke vivid sensory experiences.
• 💦 Kate Colby's work delves into themes of doubleness and splitting, reflecting the human desire to be present in two places at once.
• 💦 Both poets infuse their collections with the ordinary experiences of everyday life, grounding their work in relatable moments.
• 🧡 The poems exhibit a range of styles and subject matter, demonstrating the diversity and richness of contemporary poetry.
• 👶 The presence of children in the collections adds an additional layer of depth and relatability to the poems.
• 🏣 The poets hail from similar backgrounds but offer unique perspectives, showcasing the breadth of post-New York School, post-language poetry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Anselm Berrigan's poetry explore the relationship between space and consciousness?

Anselm Berrigan's poems use long, meandering sentences to delve into the exploration of space and consciousness. He vividly recreates city streets and the experience of reading and listening simultaneously, inviting readers to ponder the sensations of being in their own bodies and minds.

Q: How does Kate Colby's poetry reflect the theme of doubleness?

Kate Colby's poems often involve elements of splitting and doubleness. She explores the complexities of the human experience, expressing a desire to be in two places at once. Her work evokes a haunting sense of being split, both in body and mind, and longing for unity.

Q: How do Anselm Berrigan's and Kate Colby's backgrounds influence their poetry?

Both poets come from post-New York School, post-language poetry backgrounds. While they share similar backgrounds, their poetry diverges in style and subject matter. Berrigan's poems are characterized by long, curious sentences, while Colby's work tends to feature tightly-wrought sentences with elements that cancel each other out.

Q: How do children appear in the collections of both poets?

In both collections, children occasionally appear, providing grounding in the ordinary experiences of daily life. Berrigan's poem features a child dreaming while pushing a stroller, creating a juxtaposition between the surreal and the mundane. Colby's poem references everyday objects associated with children, such as a bowl of banana stickers, highlighting the near-death experiences that can occur in everyday life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Vocarium Reading Series continues its tradition of showcasing new poets and preserving their voices for future generations.

• Anselm Berrigan's long, curious sentences delve into the exploration of space and consciousness, taking readers on a journey through vivid city streets and the intriguing experience of simultaneous listening and reading.

• Kate Colby's poems intricately weave together contrasting elements, exploring themes of doubleness and splitting to examine the human desire to be present in two places at once.

• Both poets incorporate children into their collections, grounding their work in the ordinary experiences of everyday life.