MaryAnn:

We've faced such Self-Important Poems and their Self-Important Authors all too often here on Poems Fray, much more so in the past than currently, but all too frequently when Mr. Pinsky has put up.

Rabbit, a few weeks ago when Robert Pinsky presented his monthly classic poem, he was available to all posters for, I think, four whole days. Why didn’t you bring this up with him that week? I challenge you to bring it up to him when he returns in a few weeks.

And I challenge denny to discuss this statement of his with Robert Pinsky when he returns --

Poets themselves have abandoned the public. It is as if they have formed their own clique - a closely knit sub-society of writers - which seems to hold the general public in distain. They have adopted an elitist attitude which seems to say that if the general public doesn't read, understand and appreciate the poetry of today, then it must be the fault of the public, rather than the poet.

Hi MaryAnn,

The simple truth is that I was unavailable for comment myself when Mr. Pinsky last came on board. That's how it usually goes. I only find out that he or another Tuesday Poet has come on board well after the fact these days, most of the time; otherwise, even if there's a current discussion going on, usually I can't deal with it. I have to pick the cans of worms I open carefully these days.

Still: if Denny (who contacts me regularly by e-mail) or you (I think you know how to reach me) will tip me off when Mr. Pinsky's on deck next, I want "in" on any discussion over the points you've just cited. I may have my limits in time to devote to discussion, even then. But there's no reason for me to complain about Mr. Pinsky's methodology of choice in such astringent terms for so long and then pass up an opportunity to summarize my concerns directly to him when I have the chance. In fact, there's every reason to take up your challenge, and I gladly do so.

I think Denny just summarized the perception of the public even better than I could do. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Pinsky responds to that charge.

Thanks,
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