Absolutely. I run online workshops and spend my time writing responses to writing that describe what the piece is doing. It’s about seeing the poem or cnf and engaging with it, rather than criticizing it. So few of us ever really feel _seen_.
Wow Laurie I just found your Substack. What a beautiful essay to find today. Though we are in different seasons of life I related to so much you share here. I love all the winding observations. All the questions. Can you trust someone who says yes they were good in their life. Struck me so hard. The voicemails you love still on your phone. The mariachi music. So rich. All of it.
as if you're catching in language the seeds of the dandelion as we become them on a wind. beautiful Stone- seeing you on the curb puts me there too- whether your'e there or not. my morning read. love you.
I swear I have been waiting for someone to talk about Anne Carson, thank you so much. Her work stands as testament to why reading literature holistically is vital.
Such a question, this: "Did I do a reasonable job in my life? I’m not sure."
I paused and then wondered how my answer might differ if I revised the question to ask about the job I've done 'with' my life rather than 'in' my life. Stirring up the ambiguity and moving attention to the qualitative.
"Would you trust a person who readily said yes?" Well, no.
Thank you for bringing Spalding Gray into this, too. The citation brought me pleasure!
I will put this on my wall, to look at it each time I sit down to write: "it will be impossible for the writing to be memory. It has never happened before." It expresses so perfectly the joy I feel when I hit my keyboard: something will come that did not exist before ... Thank you!
I adore Anne Carson and had no idea she has Parkinson's -- but love her approach -- "she wants to remain in love with the way her mind casts around from moment to moment, attracted by forms of delight and producing delight for us with her associations." And your friend Susan (how wonderful to look like a lynx) is right -- links to other work are so welcome.
"a tighter squeezing of the hands as we slip off the surface of the earth." Thank you for sharing the link.
“Everything we do is music, and everywhere is the best seat.” John Cage
What a fabulous quote from John!!
I had misremembered it as "Everyone has the best seat."
I love both Anne Carson and Laurie Sloan.
I love you, dearest . . . and autocorrect thinks my name is "Sloan." :)
“. I’ve become less interested in the subjectivity of evaluation—both giving it and receiving it.” This! Brilliant.
You, too? It's an interesting move from point A to pint B . . . nothing intentionally, something you notice.
Absolutely. I run online workshops and spend my time writing responses to writing that describe what the piece is doing. It’s about seeing the poem or cnf and engaging with it, rather than criticizing it. So few of us ever really feel _seen_.
Love this! What Anne Carson writes and what you write (so sorry she has Parkinson's. I love her)
I love her as well, and thanks, dear C! xxL
What fun to see you stir up the molecules.
Thanks, love.
Wow Laurie I just found your Substack. What a beautiful essay to find today. Though we are in different seasons of life I related to so much you share here. I love all the winding observations. All the questions. Can you trust someone who says yes they were good in their life. Struck me so hard. The voicemails you love still on your phone. The mariachi music. So rich. All of it.
Thanks so much, dear Jane. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. --Laurie
The black doorway is always there….
Exactly.
as if you're catching in language the seeds of the dandelion as we become them on a wind. beautiful Stone- seeing you on the curb puts me there too- whether your'e there or not. my morning read. love you.
Hi Abby! I see you, too. xxL
I see that Black Door too ...
Arresting, well written piece.
And, as usual, I always appreciate what you and Richard have to say xo
Thanks so much!
please continue to listen to Susan
I will! Lynz will be a new section of each post. xxL
I swear I have been waiting for someone to talk about Anne Carson, thank you so much. Her work stands as testament to why reading literature holistically is vital.
Yes, brilliant, happy our minds crossed. xxL
For the second time funny enough!
I loved this so much.. Thank you ..
Oh sweetness, I'm so glad. xxL
Such a question, this: "Did I do a reasonable job in my life? I’m not sure."
I paused and then wondered how my answer might differ if I revised the question to ask about the job I've done 'with' my life rather than 'in' my life. Stirring up the ambiguity and moving attention to the qualitative.
"Would you trust a person who readily said yes?" Well, no.
Thank you for bringing Spalding Gray into this, too. The citation brought me pleasure!
Hi Cindy! xxL
I will put this on my wall, to look at it each time I sit down to write: "it will be impossible for the writing to be memory. It has never happened before." It expresses so perfectly the joy I feel when I hit my keyboard: something will come that did not exist before ... Thank you!
I feel exactly the same way. xxL
I adore Anne Carson and had no idea she has Parkinson's -- but love her approach -- "she wants to remain in love with the way her mind casts around from moment to moment, attracted by forms of delight and producing delight for us with her associations." And your friend Susan (how wonderful to look like a lynx) is right -- links to other work are so welcome.
Who knew? She was suggesting it would add some luster to my "pitch" for support. It felt a bit like self-promotion, but hey. xxL
I think your pitch is already great -- factual and not arm-twisty. It's just interesting to see even more of your work xx
Thanks for the feedback. It's useful. I am going to offer a link with each new post. xxL
Thank you for this, the riff on Cy Twombly, the link, and the hope of an encounter for a cookie on one of my very infrequent trips to NYC.
Thanks, Jon . . . we're in Hudson, not NYC, although I did do the cookie thing in Washington Square Park one day.
Thank you. I will adjust my hope.