Reports from the interior of eternity: thoughts on Mark Conway’s “rivers of the driftless region,” and why poetry matters

Poetry is not just one thing, and talking about why it matters is akin to talking about why everything matters. poetry matters because living matters. But a lot of people aren’t able to recognize the beauty and consolation and celebration available through poetry because, as poet Mark Conway said, poetry suffers from several problems right now.

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Painted Cave: a “Light” poem by Micki Blenkush

In this time of uncertainty, poets, artists, and other creative types have much to teach us. This poem hints that, when desire to understand what is beyond our knowing, making art (drawing, painting, sculpture, music, dance, poetry, basketry, weaving, crafting, or any kind of creative “making”) is a healthy response. When we find ourselves in unfamiliar situations, taking an open, creative approach allows us a sidelong glimpse at patterns we might, due to a primitive fear of the unknown, be incapable of observing and seeing with a rational-logical mindset.

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