Art of Recklessness: Poetry as Assertive Force and Contradiction

Art of Recklessness: Poetry as Assertive Force and Contradiction | Dean Young

Poet Dean Young has passed away. A longtime fan of his work I recall looking forward to him read when I went to AWP Chicago many years ago. It was for “7 Poets, 4 Days, 1 Book.“ A collaborative work with a fairly self-explanatory title. A couple of the poets (including Tomaž Šalamun, a big influence on Young who has since passed) were present but Dean himself was not due to health issues. Shortly afterwards he underwent a heart transplant. Around

vivastory the same time as his transplant a new collection was pub. by the prestigious Copper Canyon press. I was living in Minneapolis at the time of his transplant & the pub of Fall Higher. There were several local poets who had developed a national reputation who were friendly with Dean, a few were close friends. One in particular Dobby Gibson organized a fundraising reading for Dean to offset the costs of his medical bills. Despite being a professor 2y

vivastory with good healthcare his medical costs were astronomical due to the broken American medical system. I attended this fundraiser reading & was overwhelmed by the love for Dean Young by the attendees. His work meant so much to so many. Including myself. I have never forgotten that evening. Young's poetry is a mixed stew of numerous influences: NY School (esp. Frank O'Hara), European Surrealists, Tomaž Šalamun & that of younger writers. Full of 2y

vivastory vitality, humor & life. The world feels poorer this evening without his presence. (Image from Copper Canyon Twitter) (edited) 2y

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Leftcoastzen Wow , that‘s an amazing poem & story . I don‘t know his work but now I want to. 2y

vivastory @Leftcoastzen The Poetry Foundation has numerous works by him:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/dean-young#tab-poems (edited) 2y

vivastory @Leftcoastzen This is a collection of new & selected poems. It's a good place to begin I think

Bender: New and Selected Poems

TrishB I‘ve not heard of him either, sadly. Lovely post. 2y

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TK-421

Art of Recklessness: Poetry as Assertive Force and Contradiction | Dean Young

“Poetry is not efficient. If you want to learn how to cook a #lobster, it‘s probably best not to look to poetry. But if you want to see the word lobster in all its reactant oddity, its pied beauty, as if for the first time, go to poetry. And if you want to know what it‘s like to be that lobster in the pot, that‘s in poetry too.” #QuotsyJun21

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