John Barton
John Barton
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.
time
You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time you read it.
poems
To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite; I want to get over that.
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.
allow disregard good prejudices readers
Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard inappropriate responses.
agent poetry reader uses
An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive.
conversation entered poetry
Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems.
connect editor intended literary
A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor is to mediate.
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.
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.
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.
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.