The situation of poetry: contemporary poetry and its traditions

Preface

I. Introduction

"Modern" and "contemporary"

Examples

II. Voices

Preliminary

Lowell

Berryman

Hardy, Ransom, Berryman

III. The romantic persistence

"Romantic": "Ode to a Nightingale"

"Modern": "The Term," "The Most of It," and "The Snow Man"

Generalities

"Contemporary"

IV. Conventions of wonder

"Description": Bogan, O'Hara

"Description": some contemporaries

Wonder and derangement: "Orchids," "Badger," and "Poppies in July"

V. The discursive aspect of poetry

"Earnestness"" Cunningham, Bidart

Ammons

McMichael's "Itinerary"

Poetic dictions and prose virtues

Final remarks.