And, should we not say, that Artists are also "spies"--looking
at reality, observing life and imagining? But, unlike the State's spies,
opening up their world of observations and imagination to others?
P: I realize that now is not the best time for poetics, as people
around the globe are desperate to survive. And war is raging! And the earth suffers! But, maybe, it is
because of this, that poetry is so badly needed! As an outcry against all the
injustice of the world. This has always been the poets' stand, in all times,
right? Blok, before his death in 1921, had expressed this in his brilliant
short essays ("On Poets' Destination", "Intelligencia and Revolution", "On Humanism,"
and others). I wish you could read them. They are still valid.
C: I look forward to
reading Blok's essays. Perhaps they can be incorporated into this dialogic
piece between us?
P: The cementing base for
arts and politics--to my mind--is the environment, which is crucial for
both. (There can't be art or politics on
a deserted earth!) And you'll be
surprised to learn how radical I am about this!. (Read e.g. my essay on "Succession," which I
attach.)
C: I certainly see your point on
Environmental issues! I think we must
raise that in our first chapter (which is basically a dialogue-chapter where we
are setting up the rest of the book, establishing our framework)... but I think
we get more heavily into it after we've addressed politics and the arts.
I am not ignorant about the ravages humans
have made on our precious Earth and our global inheritance. We must deal with these
matters--inevitably. About such
environmental matters, I will mostly be deferring to you--certainly in terms of
your scientific background.
As artists, following in the tradition of
Whitman, Blok, Jeffers, etc., we demand and command the right to address
political issues also! That should be a
central theme of the book/project.
France's Clemenceau once said that "war
is too important to be left to the generals."
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