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Unexpected bonus

Poetry Magazine (US)

In the post today came a copy of Poetry magazine, volume 202 number 1 – yes, it’s been going for over a hundred years – gawds! The reason it was an unexpected bonus is because I cannot remember where or when I ordered it. But here it is, and with such a heritage the first adjective that comes to mind is ‘august’, although that already seems way too stuffy.

I have to say it’s a thing of beauty – first of all, for a magazine to be even called something as simple as ‘Poetry’ is pretty impressive. Then there’s the lovely size – presumably an American shape – narrower than A5 but bigger than the average paperback, perfect-bound with a proper spine. Then the cool, clean fonts and layout – reminiscent of The Rialto, but the paper stock is creamier, slightly more retro. Am I sounding a bit fetishistic?? I haven’t even mentioned the contents yet.

To be fair, it’s only just arrived so I’ve only skimmed it lightly so far – but I can see there’s a section entitled ‘A few more don’ts’ with the subtitle Ezra Pound set forth his now-famous “A Few Don’ts by an Imagiste” in the March 1913 issue of Poetry. In commemoration we’ve asked a few writers to update Pound’s essay for our time.

Hello?? “In the 1913 issue of Poetry ….” Just how cool is that??? Anyway, can’t wait to read it. And I’ve already spotted and enjoyed poems by Eavan Boland and Jamaal May, so I have the feeling the whole magazine is going to be a bedtime treat for some while.

Published inInspirationMags & BlogsSerendipityUS poetry

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  1. I seem to remember that there was a promotion a while back to celebrate their Centenary – you emailed your address to be in with a chance? You’ve got me excited because I sent my details over so I wonder if I will receive such a surprise in the post?! Anyway, delighted for you and you make it sound SO inviting! Enjoy šŸ™‚

  2. Ah! maybe that was it … hope you get a copy too, it’s definitely a treat šŸ™‚

  3. I got mine too yesterday from the promotion and was also surprised as I’d forgotten about it! It’s lovely, I was quite excited. (I remember at the time that I had my doubts whether they would actually send them out to people overseas, so I’m quite impressed.)

    • Hi Clarissa – that’s probably why I had forgotten as well, I didn’t really think they’d send it. But hooray!

  4. jaynestanton jaynestanton

    A complete surprise to receive mine, too!
    Right now, I’m tucked up warm in bed enjoying Eavan Boland’s three poems and catching up with blogs I follow. šŸ™‚

    • Aha! Similar to what I’m up to now (at the other end of the day!)…

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Robin Houghton 2021