Some poets, their words and myself
A story in memoir, by Steve Mann
Winter/Spring 2004/05: knew that i would gain so much – but ‘me' mentored by a real poet!
"you certainly are good enough you should apply" – stirred on by Shropshire poet Sally Richards
more warm encouraging tone in my ear – "yes there have been so many submissions but please apply as soon as possible" – from Alan Morrison, co-coordinator of the National Mentoring Scheme and editor Poetry Express
in my hand the letter from Alan Morrison: a 'very high number of submissions' of a 'very high standard','not this year', but 'please apply' for the 'second year of the scheme'.
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Winter/Spring 2005/06: issue 23 of Poetry Express (Survivours Poetry Quarterly)
'Nine Types of Acuity' – Alan Morrison's report on 'a productive first year of the National Mentoring Scheme'– stimulating – inspiring
snail mail bearing my hopes to London a second time: – fifteen original poems (different from the first time) with my application for the second year of the scheme
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Winter/Spring 2006/07: feeling privileged with mentoring underway with Phil Ruthen, whom i highly regard – assessing – analysing – commenting
– generally for example:
Overall, there is much to commend the poetry for publication I thought, with two poems outstanding and vividly memorable.I thought perhaps a small number seemed both less sure of their rooting, but were more expressively 'free-playing' with linguistic constructs. These didn't appeal quite as much in their 'wholeness' – realising that an element of personal taste enters the frame here – e.g. my uncertainty of subject matter of a mysterious nature explored by an almost 'feigning' style in a metaphysical 'tradition'. Yet within these poems there is enough to state, somewhat radically perhaps, that with careful trimming back - taking care to ensure lines/words lost are either present in a comparable form elsewhere in the poem - the poems could stand with the others. Also, with any trimming ensuring that the root premises are not lost from which the poem emerged. That is, of course, a negotiation with the publisher, mentor, and crucially, the poet.
Throughout the selection, the titles of the poems are terrific
– specifically regarding different poems for example:
I find it too intrusive, the style and tone too detached from the body of the poem. I suggest removing the refrain.associations with Robert Creeley here, it's a very fine poem I think.
evenly written, a fine and understated poem, and I think manages to uphold this without forcing judgements despite the possibilities from the final stanza.
a masterful post-modern poem, giving that eerie uneasiness that it has come out the opposite of the original intention. The rhythm – the jumping as though blows are systematically being applied, works well.
it is attractive on one level, although it is a poem I suggest trimming back, as the italicised lines and the short-line stanzas seemed to be the stylistic choice that is working well and doing much of the work.
are the repetitions of words always necessary
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April 2007 – our mentoring conversation is ongoing – mutual discussion, commenting and adjusting continues – I am growing as a poet under Phil's positive support and guidance – and today…
I'm writing again…
Steve has had more than enough of some writing
- reports, presentations, talks, assessments, research papers et al
- and not nearly enough of other writing - namely his especial interests
since the breakdown of his health and retirement
on medical grounds - poetry and short story.