“For the past thirty years or so, much American poetry has been marked by an earnestness that rejects the comic. This has nothing to do with seriousness. The comic can be very serious. The trouble with the earnest is that it seeks to be commended. It seeks to be praised for its intention more than for what it is saying.” YearsHas BeensPastTroubleSeriousIntentionComicThirtyRejectsEarnestSeriousnessThirty YearsEarnestnessAmerican Poetry Book:Next Word, Better Word: The Craft of Writing Poetry Source: Next Word, Better Word: The Craft of Writing Poetry
“Many of my poems try to use a comic element to reach a place that isn't comic at all. The comic element works as a surprise. It is unexpected and energizing.” TryingUseElementsSurpriseComicUnexpectedEnergizing Author:Stephen Dobyns
