Michael Mcclure

For some reason, i felt compelled to blog about Michael Mcclure. One of the prolific writers most established from the Beat Movement. (and probably the only one still breathing) Michael Mcclure is a man who seems to emulate Whitman without really knowing him. Now. What i mean by this is that i don't recall reading Mcclure being influenced by Whitman, though he might have, what i particularly noted was the meticulousness[sic] of his craft. Spacing on a typewriter, centering, symmetrical form. He truly exerts control over his craft and in doing so provides not so much a revision, but a metamorphosis and transformation, with poems that preclude interjecting themselves in following poems, weaving motifs and moments together.

I recalled Tran's secret embarrassing situation where poems were duplicated withing an anthology.

Though it was unintentional, it forced readers to confront meanings and desires which readers might overlook on first readings.

And that is perhaps the connection i see between the two. Their fixation on revision and transformation was perhaps compelled by their prophetic vision to make us understand while retaining the beauty of their writing.

Now, i don't believe whitman would ever recite poetry to lions, but then again, whitman didn't have the luxury of psychedelic drugs. :)