Few essays on writing poetry grab me by the collar, slam me against the wall, and say “Listen, dammit!” But this one did.
Camille Dungy’s words sear through the fog. She tells it slant. She tells it true. She explains how some masters have done it. If you’ve not read her poetry, seek it out. You’re in for a treat. If you have the good fortune to attend a lecture or reading by her, do so. She’s energetic, wise and kind. She knows.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/article/247926
FIrst posted here in 2014..
O at the Edges 
You are right, Robert! Wow! So many sentences of pure knowledge like this one “Consciousness leaves every means of expression behind.” and this one “What a poet does, ideally, is talk about the history of the inside of people so that history is more than just the appearance of things,”. Thank you so much for sharing her insights. 🙂
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Camille is an awesome poet and essayist. She knows!
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She certainly does! 🙂
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I was fortunate to spend a week in her workshop at the Napa Valley Writing Conference in 2013. It was a revelation! She’s wise and kind, very generous.
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You are so lucky! 🙂
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The year before that I attended Arthur Sze’s workshop. Quite simply, it changed my life.
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It’s wonderful to look back and look at those moments. 🙂
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So yes, I am very lucky!
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Would you be surprised to know that this applies to artfully constructed picture books?
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I would not. Camille’s wisdom extends well beyond poetry!
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Thanks for sharing (I’ll share it too)
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You’re very welcome!
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Thank you for sharing – it was what I needed to read tonight.
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I’m pleased you found it useful. You might seek out her poetry, too.
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I intend to 🙂
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Thanks Robert. An eye opener.
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Camille Dungy opened my eyes!
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🙏🙏
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This is really such a great article. I feel like I have just come out from the lecture of a great teacher and only was able to digest a small morsel of what was said! Thank you for this!
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Camille Dungy IS a great teacher. If only I’d had a teacher like her back in the day…
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Wow, thank you for this. I learned so much from the essay and am so glad you reshared it. I write poetry – or perhaps its second cousin – but I’m a dilettante on the slant strategy. You’ve really made me think.
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Thank you, Kim. Camille is a wonder. Her essay gave me much to consider.
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