Revising, for the Sake of the Greater Good

On April 11^th we are proud to host Diane Raptosh in the Library for a poetry reading at 6:00 pm.  Ms. Raptosh recently released her fourth book of poetry, a book length poem titled American Amnesiac.  She is a professor of creative writing and literature at The College of Idaho, where she holds the Eyck-Berringer Endowed Chair in English (that means she’s pretty important).  In February, Ms. Raptosh was named Boise’s first Poet Laureate.  In that role she’ll be providing workshops, readings, and writing original work for the citizens of Boise.

Let’s talk a bit about what sort of readings and thoughts to expect from Ms. Raptosh.  She describes her newest work as a “dramatic monologue” (“The Next Big Thing” par 4) in which “the protagonist … is a one-man revolution—one that paves the way for a world in which each of us more strongly ‘esteems the we’” (par 7). 

Here’s a selection from American Amnesiac:

We have to tolerate inequality as a way to gain prosperity for all,
someone told me Goldman Sachs’ Lord Griffiths said

at London’s Southwark Church last fall. What kind of sense is this?
I can’t remember a thing I did for that firm,

but it says on my C.V. I have advised for them.
Here is a thin cut of wisdom: The kinder you are the stronger

your immune system will be. And don’t forget oysters. Dark meat.
The day’s breath of garlic. Carelessness can ruin months of growth.

My old best friend Jen Byers says there’s such a job
as being minister of leaves of tea!

If someone were to ask which ancient figure I’d most like to meet,
I’d say the constitution, as it is a living document. Get on the page with me.

I recall the end of Rinehart’s last consulting phase
as if it were Lisette’s first look.

At each momentous stage of his life, a Sioux Indian earns a new name.
Jumping Badger landed the tag Sitting Bull on killing his first bison.

Unfriend was just dubbed word of the year.
The name’s Jon Doe, and I’m just lying doggo here on wheezing earth.

Sources



Raptosh, Diane. “The Next Big Thing.” Diane Raptosh. Dianeraptosh.blogspot.com, 18 Feb.          2013. Web. 21 March 2013.