The strange thing about writing prose poetry might be the way it bleeds into the rest of your prose, like falling asleep while reading and seeing the plot unreel in your hypnogogic state. I love that science has found a way to study that stage of falling asleep—it seems such a mysterious and fertile time. Thanks for visiting! —D

I miss Brautigan. The fun part of this independent study has been looking at the undefinable things we encounter. I may try some “sudden fiction” or “flash fiction” next, though I have to say I have no real gift for narrative. Thanks, as always, for your visits. —D

I study French Literature - Aloïsius Bertrand, to be exact. Fine commentaries, Mr. Felso. The most interesting thing about Bertrand is the exquisite range of readers that loved his poèmes en prose: Baudelaire, Mallarmé, André Breton… It’s quite a distinction, huh? Furthermore, something very special about the prose poem is its liaison with other arts, like music and painting. Moreover, the role of the imagination is very demanding if you’re into classic “B” prose poem (Bertrand-Baudelaire-Breton pattern.)
I’m Brazilian, so I’m sorry for my English. I’m better in French.

Regards.

Your English is wonderful. I’m fascinated by the firsts in any new form, particularly when they appear to find something that isn’t peculiar to themselves and you wonder no one else thought of doing what they did. I would love to read more—I’d especially love to read the B’s in French—and may take that up as a project over the summer. Thanks so much for your comments. —D

You’re right. I think I was speaking more of my experience with trying to write a prose poem. I meant to say a poem provides me a sort of out—that is, I know when I’m finished—and prose poems don’t seem so easy. I love your description of a Rorschachian expression—that seems much closer. —D

No Boundaries, an anthology of prose poems by American Poets (edited by Ray Gonzalez) is a favorite. Models of the universe and The Party Train are also good anthologies. Ben Lerner’s Angle of Yaw is an outstanding example of what can be done with the form as is Amos Oz’s novel comprised of prose poems, the Same Sea. The Vestal Review, Quarter After Eight and Double Room are a few of my favorite prose poem/flash fiction journals. Sentence and CUE seem more experimental to me.

Wow. I knew about No Boundaries, but I will find the other anthologies and journals. I’m not nearly as versed in this form as you. I’m just learning, but I’m hungry. Thank you for feeding my curiosity. —D

I really like Barry Lopez as an essayist and should look up the work you’re alluding to. I also had a Carlos Castaneda fixation for a while. My memory is dim, but I remember his work as sort of scientific somehow—outside instead of inside. Thank you for giving me more to read—I am just beginning to explore this form. —D