tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post6649323372553287222..comments2023-04-10T14:29:56.153+01:00Comments on Raw Light: poetry & opinion since 2005: Ecopoetics and Beyond: Can Poetry Make Things Happen?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-77092841620246457442008-03-05T10:56:00.000+00:002008-03-05T10:56:00.000+00:00I enjoyed this post and the original Guardian art...I enjoyed this post and the original Guardian article that you quote. I think its all about the how you say it, rants disguised as poetry only annoy, but well crafted thoughtful poetry that addresses issues is vital and has a real chance of engaging people's minds in issuesCrafty Green Poethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-2385849063973007902008-02-28T20:38:00.000+00:002008-02-28T20:38:00.000+00:00Thanks for that, Rachel. I love the way you make h...Thanks for that, Rachel. I love the way you make his lecture sound like a back rub ... "really invigorating"! <BR/><BR/>I don't always agree with Neil Astley's views, but I've always admired his political stance on poetry. It's become fashionable in poetry to be a bit 'luvvie' and not rock the boat by making statements which might upset people or clash with other people's views. Too many poets keeping their heads down and refusing to engage with the everyday world. <BR/><BR/>Life isn't that simple though, and nor is poetry. I absolutely agree with you that we need people in poetry who are willing to stand up and make political statements of this kind, regardless of hostile reactions.Jane Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590668593487445482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-15070915788408372402008-02-28T12:07:00.000+00:002008-02-28T12:07:00.000+00:00I really admire the way Neil Astley speaks out abo...I really admire the way Neil Astley speaks out about poetry and what it can do, who it can be for, what it can be for. He must know he's going to be tutted at from great heights (or from what some think are great heights..) for dragging poetry into the rest of the world but he does it anyway. He gave a lecture at StAnza a while back that was really invigorating.Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.com