Comments on: Ten Simple Songs

By: Dave Bonta

Dave Bonta — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 18:18:23 +0000

In reply to Rachel Barenblat (@velveteenrabbi). Thanks, Rachel. Parts 1 and 2 are my personal favorites, as well.

By: Rachel Barenblat (@velveteenrabbi)

Rachel Barenblat (@velveteenrabbi) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:38:11 +0000

I don’t know how I missed this when you originally posted it, but it’s stunning, Dave. Holy wow.

I especially love parts 1 and 2. (And there’s a certain pleasure in reading 6, since the moments you describe there are also the only times I’ve ever been physically co-present with either of y’all.)

By: A very hagfishy Valentine’s Day | Via Negativa

A very hagfishy Valentine’s Day | Via Negativa — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:45:53 +0000

[…] a slime-ball and a bottom-feeder, in fact it was a highly romantic gesture, a response to my “Ten Simple Songs” (8-9, if you’re in a hurry). I was initially going to hold off posting that poem until […]

By: quiet irregular reader

quiet irregular reader — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:52:57 +0000

oy!!! in a good way

By: Dave Bonta

Dave Bonta — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 03:08:17 +0000

In reply to Peter. Thanks! (And thanks for linking.)

By: Dave Bonta

Dave Bonta — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 03:06:48 +0000

In reply to JJS. "in that powerful magic of specificity, the unshared particulars allow me to move closer to my own histories." That's very gratifying to hear. I was consciously working against that kind of praise poem so beloved of mid-20th century poets in which the beloved is elevated into a being of cosmic significance, but in the process most of the things that make her loveable and unique are lost. Thanks for reading and commenting.

By: JJS

JJS — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:42:58 +0000

I love this, Dave. And love it more for knowing nothing about the context: in that powerful magic of specificity, the unshared particulars allow me to move closer to my own histories. And the emotional presence of it resonates in a way that summons my own. So in the end, not just a bridge, but several bridges. This is what poems should do, sez me. Thanks.

By: Via Negativa: from “Ten Simple Songs”

Via Negativa: from “Ten Simple Songs” — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:06:19 +0000

[…] From Via Negativa. […]

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:09:23 +0000

Gosh! These are good.

By: Dave Bonta

Dave Bonta — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:31:13 +0000

Thanks, y’all. Your reactions suggest I did the right thing in deciding to make these public rather than simply sharing them with Rachel in private.