Interesting thoughts, Carrie. I think Scottish non-mainstream poets have tended to use humour and playfulness e.g. Alexander Huchison, Richard Price, Edwin Morgan etc but that may well be because they have looked to the USA and Europe for influence.
Of course, not everyone would agree that these names are 'experimental', but they are hardly mainstream either.
Here's Sandy in his most playful mode - http://www.spl.org.uk/best-poems_2008/008.htm
Nothing experimental about that, but very funny and well written. 'Scales Dog' contains a good selection, from stuff like that to some very odd poems. One of my favourite books from Salt - http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844713301.htm
Interesting thoughts, Carrie. I think Scottish non-mainstream poets have tended to use humour and playfulness e.g. Alexander Huchison, Richard Price, Edwin Morgan etc but that may well be because they have looked to the USA and Europe for influence.
ReplyDeleteOf course, not everyone would agree that these names are 'experimental', but they are hardly mainstream either.
Good point, Rob--thanks for this. I don't know Huchison's work--where would you recommend I begin?
ReplyDeleteScales Dog, published by Salt is his Selected.
ReplyDeleteHere's Sandy in his most playful mode - http://www.spl.org.uk/best-poems_2008/008.htm
ReplyDeleteNothing experimental about that, but very funny and well written. 'Scales Dog' contains a good selection, from stuff like that to some very odd poems. One of my favourite books from Salt - http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844713301.htm
And here's something from him quite different from the haggis poem - http://www.spl.org.uk/best-poems_2009/009.htm
ReplyDeleteThere's a poem of his in issue 5 of LPM, launched tonight
ReplyDelete