Background, strona 3

Some critics consider Shapiro a member of "the tribe of John" (Ashbery, probably the most renowned 20th century American poet, 1927-2017), while some others claim Shapiro's poetry is only influenced by Ashbery (or "Ashberyan"). I tend to side with the latter.

There are many common features and shared points of view in both poetics. For example, the reader may notice that both in Ashbery's and in Shapiro's poetry, the speaking persona is simultaneously producing the poem and analyzing it, not without irony. Perhaps Ashbery owes this aspect of his poetry to Wallace Stevens, one of the poetic standards that he appreciates. Shapiro adopted it from Ashbery, thus becoming another American poet writing in the self-reflexive mode, where the "I" ponders on itself, and resulting in poetry which describes the problems of producing poetry. This self-referentiality of Shapiro's and Ashbery's poetics allows for the continuous opportunity of introspection, a prolific source of poetic inspiration. 

It all began quite early in Shapiro's life, when he started to correspond with the older poet before they met in person. The friendship continued, and in the 1970s Shapiro decided to write his Ph.D. about Ashbery's poetry. That work reveals how much admiration Shapiro had for his friend's poetic skilfulness and resourcefulness displayed in the experiments that Ashbery dares to perform in his poems, which are often disjunctive, verbally dazzling, and difficult to understand. Ashbery provokes the reader by shifting the focus from one line to another so the meaning fluctuates.

Shapiro is visibly fascinated by some of the solutions proposed by the older poet, and this is particularly noticeable in his earlier volumes like "Poems from Deal" - specifically, in the use of collages/assemblages, streams of consciousness, recycling random headlines etc. 

To get a glimpse of Ashbery's poetry, you may like to have a look at his Self-portrait in a convex mirror.

Interested? You will find more here

As a part of the general context, I am enclosing some visuals with introductory information concerning the poetry of David Shapiro: Introduction to the Poetry of DJS

 For your convenience, you will find it as well in the form of video under one of the hyperlinks in the menu (>category: recordings).

This is an introduction to the poet's biography and poetry. It defines the three main themes that I am now considering in my research:

 - the prevalence of similes: comparisons featuring words "like" or "as," juxtaposing divergent ideas;

- the I-you relation, which breeds dialogs or little dramas, and

- the not-so-obvious musicality arising from anaphora, rhyme patterns, sound flows, or rhythm.

You will find poetic texts related to these themes in the three tabs that I have set up here:

- The orgy of similes,

- Moving towards you, and

- Music written to order.

My aim and intention is to read and (at least partly) translate with you one poem from each category. First of all, I am very eager to hear your impressions from the encounter with this poetry; and secondly, I'd love to discover with you new and potential meanings that this poetry holds.

I consider open discussion a very efficient tool that makes profound communication possible. And I am convinced that literary texts help their readers to grow by offering them a different perspective. And this is why I truly want to talk with you about this poetry and to hear your take on this.

Interested? You will find more here