Poetry in Motion

The Antioch Review has produced the "best words in the best order" since it was founded at Antioch University, Ohio, in 1941. The journal was originally intended to counter the forces of Fascism and Communism that the editors saw rising throughout the world in the early years of World War II. Hence, racism, sexism, and many other cultural problems have been addressed within its pages. A haven for Liberalism, the Review has survived World Wars, political changes, McCarthyism, and its own financial problems. Independent of the university since 1973, it is now known and respected by librarians and readers all over the world, publishing the likes of Sylvia Plath and Ralph Ellison, among dozens of other successes.

Although most issues are a mix of essay, fiction, and poetry, occasionally, the former poetry editor David St. John had a tradition of publishing one issue per year with a singular focus. Judith Hall, his assistant, and now editor, continues this practice with the issue of Winter, 2009. The theme of this issue is Modern Poetry, as explored through essays, plays, and of course poems.

Stylistically, many of the essays fall somewhere between academic and creative, while working within the ethical structures of journalism. "Swim and Burn with Swinburne" by Jeffrey Herrick tells of the joys found in reading poetry out loud. An essay by John Taylor on "The Poetic Prose of Pierre-Albert Jourdan" explores a relatively unknown French writer who lived from 1924 to 1981. The pieces that Taylor translates from "Fragments" are exquisite: "The light weaves its shawl of shivers./ Writing. On the subject of translation, Chris Mason does a tremendous job translating Sappho into song. He uses American folk music for a background, giving the reader the distinct impression that Sappho was meant to be sung: "Evening star brings back/ what bright dawn has scattered/ brings back the sheep brings back the goats/ brings back the children to their mother." 

In other genres, "Eunonia: Beauty or Truth (or What?)', is a play by Jerome McGann. This one had me wondering: what? But only at first. Later, I came to appreciate Christian Bok, if not fully understand his work.  

Add to these pieces a very good exposition on the use of repetition in poetry, and a discussion of Derek Walcott, Elizabeth Bishop, and Gerald Stern, along with examples of each poet's work, and I thoroughly enjoyed this issue of Antioch Review. A good read for any aspiring poet, or writer looking to learn more about the history, significance or sheer beauty to be found in poetry.