Home > Work > Late in the Day: Poems 2010–2014
1 " Right now, we need writers who know the difference between production of a market commodity and the practice of an art. Developing written material to suit sales strategies in order to maximize corporate profit and advertising revenue is not the same thing as responsible book publishing or authorship. "
― Ursula K. Le Guin , Late in the Day: Poems 2010–2014
2 " And I see a lot of us, the producers, who write the books and make the books, accepting this--letting commodity profiteers sell us like deodorant, and tell us what to publish, what to write. Books aren't just commodities; the profit motive is often in conflict with the aims of art. We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable--but then, so did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art. Very often in our art, the art of words. "
3 " The Old Music The form is from Goethe’s “Nachtgesang.” I sought a newer music, but it rang false and wrong. I’d find a tune and lose it, hearing an older song. I’d find a tune and lose it, and always, all day long, among my thoughts and doings half heard some older song. Among my thoughts and doings a tune would ring out strong, yet change when I pursued it, lost in that older song. The tunes of my own choosing all sounded false and wrong. I sought a newer music, I found an older song. "
4 " The Canada LynxWe know how to know and how to think,how to exhibit what is knownto heaven’s bright ignorant eye,how to be busy and to multiply.He knows how to walkinto the trees alone not looking back,so light on his soft feet he does not sinkinto the snow. How to leave no track,no sound, no shadow. How to be gone. "
