Marsh Hawk Press' accomplishments is more than its books and includes its "Chapter One" series that delve thoughtfully into poetics and other matters "behind the scenes" of the published poem. For October, Ruben Quesada contributes a unique look at poetry's traditional/normative (per how it's taught in school) conditions and how it relates, or does not relate, to those who know English mostly as a written language vs as a native speaker. It's a needed look at a topic introduced by this thoughtful opening:
"The central argument about poetic meter and rhythm is that poets have been hearing patterns of stress, timing, and intonation since infancy. I have struggled with this idea for many years. If a non-native speaker’s primary reference for the English language is written rather than spoken, the iambic rhythm embedded in English does not manifest as a sonic reality."
You can read his essay HERE.
For those who don't know him, Ruben Quesada is a poet, translator, and editor. He edited the landmark anthology Latinx Poetics: Essays on the Art of Poetry, which received the Gold Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. His poetry collections, including Next Extinct Mammal, and Brutal Companion, have garnered widespread critical acclaim. His writing and criticism have been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, Best American Poetry, Guernica, Seneca Review, and Harvard Review. Ruben is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Guild Literary Complex in Chicago.
