John Barton
John Barton
combined elements experiment hope interest mostly poem pulling various
The experiment of the poem is mostly intuitive. I write the first draft, pulling in the various elements that interest me, in the hope that their being combined will lead to some kind of insight.
brought conditions consider elements experiment interact number poem test
I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements are brought together under test conditions to see how they will interact to create meaning or relevance.
benefits companies compete offers package pick whoever
These companies will compete to be picked, and we'll pick whoever offers the package that better benefits the patient.
cannot poems tinker
I sometimes like to tinker with poems that have failed, ones that I have sent aside. Even years afterward, I will revisit them if there is something about them that I cannot give up on.
conversation entered poetry
Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems.
poems
To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite; I want to get over that.
people
We have to have people in the right position, we have to do something to get in straight.
god ideal
Who is the ideal reader? God only knows.
absurd amused became colours decides hot intrigued
I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the Colour Institute, a group that decides what colours are hot each year or season, amused me.
obvious outset poems unfold
I have been told my poems unfold in such a way that it is not at all obvious from the outset where they are going or how they will end.
board caused deal great literary magazines member prominent submission
I have been told by a member of the board of one of Canada's most prominent literary magazines that a submission of mine once caused a great deal of controversy.
audience censor others poets realise sensitive
Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they censor themselves. I realise my audience is diverse. Some will read with empathy and curiosity while others will take offense.
inevitably lives pull
Poets can't resist the dramatic pull of their lives and so inevitably write autobiographical verse.
form inquiry nature poetry procedures using
Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of phenomena, using with its own unique procedures and tools.