A Part of Denise Riley’s Song A Part of Denise Riley’s Song
The shadow of ballad meter haunts Riley’s poems, which can never not be a sign of vitality.
Sep 20, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
Captivity Captivity
If it’s Yuletide in the New World, then what bellies up to the manger are rattler, gator, buzzard. Just as a wooden snake in a basket of toys at this barber shop I bring the boys s…
Aug 25, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
How Poems Think How Poems Think
The power of lyric poetry lies in negation, not self-assertion.
Jun 6, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
A Poet Who Believed in Nothing As in Love A Poet Who Believed in Nothing As in Love
After first writing poetry to impress and entertain his wealthy parents’ guests, cosmopolitan James Merrill went cosmic.
Nov 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
Modernist Poetry in a Crowdsourcing Age Modernist Poetry in a Crowdsourcing Age
Jorie Graham resists classic pleasures like closure, a concept anathema to the poet and her country.
Oct 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
The Dream Life of Desire The Dream Life of Desire
Drawing a line between poetry and the political has never been simple.
Mar 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
Letters Letters
Saving the venerable NYPL… cooperation, not capitalism… a jewel in the dross… you could look it up…
Jul 1, 2014 / Our Readers and Ange Mlinko
Infamy or Urn? Infamy or Urn?
How was Emily Dickinson able to be frugal and fruitful in her art?
Jan 7, 2014 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Denise Levertov’s poetic communion with the world.
Oct 22, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Paul Hoover’s second edition of Postmodern American Poetry: A Norton Anthology.
Mar 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko