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Donkees

(33,733 posts)

12. More: The Dao of Wallace Stevens

Reply to Donkees (Reply #11)

Sat Jan 23, 2016, 08:59 PM

Jan 2016

"Wallace Stevens, himself, says, "I shall explain The Snow Man as an example of the necessity of identifying oneself with reality in order to understand it and enjoy it." And in my view, that is exactly what this poem does.

Apparently a special language is necessary to explain this, however. William Bevis is our spokesperson here. He admirably succeeds in articulating this 'new' poetic language and style, naming it 'meditative,' relating it to 'postmodernism,' and finding its closest parallels in buddhist expressions."

http://knitandcontemplation.typepad.com/dao_wallace_stevens/2004/09/emthe_snow_mane.html

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The Snowman by Wallace Stevens [View all] CTyankee Jan 2016 OP

What a great poem. First time I've read it. snagglepuss Jan 2016 #1

I have yet to figure out the last line, tho... CTyankee Jan 2016 #3

Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is. Donkees Jan 2016 #9

Yes. It is perhaps...sounds right but I don't know how much Stevens knew about zen CTyankee Jan 2016 #10

"I don't know how much Stevens knew about zen" Donkees Jan 2016 #11

More: The Dao of Wallace Stevens Donkees Jan 2016 #12

All right then. And thank you for this addition to the discussion. Hekate Jan 2016 #14

My bad. I was so stuck by the imagery, I hadn't yet given much thought to it's meaning snagglepuss Jan 2016 #13

Very fine thing, that poem. eom saltpoint Jan 2016 #2

thanks. I thought it appropriate for the season... CTyankee Jan 2016 #4

It really is, yes. Poets and snow saltpoint Jan 2016 #5

nice. I was in NYC for a short time that Auden was still alive...a long time ago tho... CTyankee Jan 2016 #6

Auden's elegy for Yates stands saltpoint Jan 2016 #7

yes, it is why I love Auden so much... CTyankee Jan 2016 #8

Ahhh. Thank you for this, Yank. Hekate Jan 2016 #15