Robert Duncan

Among books I found a 1969 letter from him that reads in part: Among my exploits this year, there was just recently—presented by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese—a Poetry Festival and Conference at Austin, Texas. Sumptuously sponsored. When Octavio Paz resigned as Ambassador to India, Texas grabbed him up. Or rather, Rodolfo Cardona, the … More Robert Duncan

Théophile Gautier

Gautier went on, and wrote about a voyage to Spain in 1840. He also took a series of daguerrotypes there. It appears that he went to Spain in the hottest season because he felt this would give him the most authentic Spanish experience, and he slept in the patio of the Alhambra. This portrait resembles … More Théophile Gautier

Angola 4 PM

Orig.: Wives but especially parents laughing brightly, keeping a stiff upper lip as they leave. Then, that somber drive home. Version 1: Wives, but especially parents laughing brightly, keeping a stiff upper lip as they leave. Then that somber drive home. What do you think? Axé.

The park was luscious and filled with swans and fairy-like creatures

The fairies were the many children old enough to walk but not talk, excited to be out trying to run and jump. Swans were gliding and posing, geese were honking, and wet turtles were in fact jumping, plop! back into the pond. … in Just- spring          when the world is mud- luscious the little lame … More The park was luscious and filled with swans and fairy-like creatures

Mais c’est bon

So I spent all afternoon yesterday writing on one project, and all afternoon today reading for another, et c’est bon, it makes you find things you were looking for. Now I am rereading: Julio Ortega’s 1986 book on Vallejo. This turns out to be rather worth doing and I will have some comments on it … More Mais c’est bon

Walter Benjamin

On Marianna Scheffer’s art blog we have a quotation from Benjamin and then a brief commentary from Marianna. In the appreciation of a work of art or an art form, consideration of the receiver never proves fruitful. Not only is any reference to a certain public or its representatives misleading, but even the concept of … More Walter Benjamin