Hugo House Eastside Course at Park Place Books, Jan 23 – Feb 26, 2007

Organic Poetry Course Outline

Week I
Week II
Week III
Week IV
Week V
Week VI

 

 

Week IV: Robin Blaser, George Bowering & the Northern Nexus of the Organic

 

1)     Madlib IV

2)     Group thoughts after three weeks. Kyger recap.

3)     Notes from Jose Arguelles: The Transformative Vision. (Consciousness, wellness, pages six and nine).

4)    Writing Exercise One – Renga (pg 29/30 curriculum guide).

5)    Robin Blaser -

a)     Born in Denver, CO, May 18, 1925. Attended UC – Berkeley where he became part of what is called the Berkeley Renaissance, with Robert Duncan and Jack Spicer. Was part of the New American Poetry anthology of 1960 and The Poetics of same. Moved to Vancouver, BC in 1966 to teach at the new Simon Fraser University in nearby Burnaby. Is now Professor Emeritus.) Has had a sparse record of publication and recently released the latest version of his lifework, The Holy Forest. (Read Sam Hamill quote from essay.) Read: Author’s Note, Quitting a Job, Honestas, One Word of Wisdom and the poem starting with what would you do (pg503) from The Holy Forest.

b)    Jack Spicer handout.

c)     Journal notes from book launch.

6)     Writing Exercise Two  – Sei Shonagon List Poem. (pg 9 curriculum guide).

7)    George Bowering –

a)     Born December 1, 1936 in Penticton, BC. Royal Canadian Air Force photographer, 1954-57 where he discovered the work of William Carlos Williams. (Play GB on WCW).

b)    Attended Victoria College (Victoria, B.C.), University of British Columbia, and University of Western Ontario. M.A. from UBC in 1963.

c)     Was part of TISH group in Vancouver, early 60’s and later taught at Simon Fraser, among other places. Play Charles Olson.

d)    Read Musing on Some Poets from Blondes on Bikes.

e)     Read Kerrisdale Elegies (I).

 

8)    Writing Exercise III – Joe Brainard’s I Remember.