Lawrence Beck
Nihil est! I keep rereading the last line. I can't figure out who's getting married. She and you? The two of you and the moment? In keeping with the theme of the poem, I guess that the answer isn't important.
2011-03-26

I think this is an intense and well conceived poem, certainly well written. Contrasting it with your full moon poem it is worlds apart (yet, same world). I applaud you for seeking new themes and poetic voices, it makes the writing and the reading both so much more interesting.

This poem centers on your Nihilistic theme, but it has a strong taste of existentialism and equally noir. Having recently read (reread) The Sheltering Sky I'm in that world, and this poem could be a scene from that book. I appreciate the range of your writing.

I had a professor who had me read poets (as you're reading philosophers) and write in their style. It taught me to use different voices, and I adopted and kept that technique to keep things interesting for myself. So, I'm imaging you assigned another essay to read: Woody Allen circa 1968, and see what comes of that. Talk about contrast!

Thanks for stimulating the gray matter this early in the morn.
2011-03-25