ChicagoPostmodernPoetry.Com
Poetic Profile
Charles Bernstein
General Questions
1) Where did you grow up?
70th, near the park.
2) Was poetry and writing part of that mix?
No. Not that I yet knew. Yes.
3) Who are your poetic influences, favorite poets, writers, artwork, other
things that inform your work?
Phil Ochs. Film Noir. Brian Ferneyhough. Hannah Weiner & John Wieners.
Preston Sturges. Samuel R. Delany. Lydia Davis. Susan Bee.
4) When did you 'become' a poet when did poet become part of your everyday life?
I have not yet become a poet; I could live for quite a while longer.
5) Where were you educated? Was this important?
TV in the 50s, demonstrations in the 60s, books in the 70s, kids in the
80s, students in the 90s. Education is not 'important' it happens.
6) You were not always an academic how does this influence your work?
This answer intentionally
left blank.
7) What is your favorite Food?
Coffee. Stoli Martini.
8) Sports Team?
Buffalo '66.
9) Activity?
Sleep
10) Vacation Spot?
Eyes.
11) Curse Word?
Scalia
12) You
are viewed in many ways as the Godfather of innovative writing in the USA; what
responsibility do you feel toward younger writers?
Make them a poem they can't refuse.
Craft Questions
1) How do you form a poem?
I have no idea.
2) Is poetry an organic or synthetic process for you?
I don't know the difference.
3) Where do you write?
Wherever I am.
4) Is Ambiance important?
Yes
5) Do you have rituals or habits when you write?
Habits.
6) In the balance between found language and created language where does your
work fall?
To the ground.
7) Do you use many sources?
Yes.
Global Questions
1) You are now at Penn, do you foresee Penn becoming a place for innovative
writing?
Yes. Possibly. No.
2) What major projects are you working on now?
This.
3) What do you think about poetry in the provinces?
Poetry is always the provinces.
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