10.17.2012

Exhibit 1.6.7

There is a NIGHT within the NIGHT



These wolves know what he's talking about. 


I saw Frank Bidart read once and don't remember thinking a single thing about it except that maybe his black blazer was a little too big. I'm sure he was great. Honestly, I have almost no memory of it happening, almost don't trust myself in thinking it did happen, and, hell, maybe it didn't. Maybe we were just at the same place and he didn't read. Maybe I read. Maybe there's no such thing as reading. Maybe my black blazer is too big.

(That last one is almost certainly true).

But I'm pretty sure I'd remember if he'd read "To the Dead" which, maybe, is a famous poem? I have no idea. I know nothing about Frank Bidart, the dead, "The Dead," poetry, nights, readings, or anything that happened before this word. I do know I like it though and that I used it in my fiction class.

(Also, Nick Flynn's "Emptying Town." I've got a weird fiction class).

But you should read it here and listen to him read it--presumably while wearing an appropriately sized blazer--here.

Frank Bidart! Who knew.

3 comments:

Heather Green said...

Bidart: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15429

This Dante "version" is just, well, I think "there is a night within the night" sums it up.

Elisa said...

I saw Frank Bidart read in Houston once. Worst reader ever.

A. Peterson said...

I can't tell if the fact that I remember nothing about it means he was awful or just awful boring or if maybe I invented Frank Bidart completely and am awful myself.