2- Anstey 
on Nov. 1 2008
Exactly. But the question is, how do I use the opportunity in my local paper to educate people predisposed to dislike him. (which is a big number)
3- Rws 
on Nov. 1 2008
The putz is nutz?
Has he ever read anything that hasn't rhymed? If not, then someone certainly should educate him before he expects prose to rhyme.
4- Mosquitobyte on Nov. 1 2008
This was my enraged reactin to such a childish view of art.
I have read many stupid things in my time, much of it poetry I admit. This however rates amongst the stupidest things I've ever read.
Whilst Dan is correct in stating that rhyme and iambic's can be difficult, some find them incredibly easy.
I for one find rhyme to be the reasonably easy, so I actually avoid it as much as possible.
I suppose he doesn't understand works with no punctuation either; or pieces that don't "lay it all out for the reader".
All I can say Dan, is that you certainly fit the Australian image of the "generic American" - ignorant of truth in art and sadly indicative of the general want for poetry which is simplistic and artificially clear.
Sad really, when I for one quite enjoy some American poets, many of which work in a combination of rhyme, "forms" or as I, in there own unique styles.
Imagine where we would be if we all accepted a "generic" life......still in cave's I'd imagine.
Mosquitobyte.
5- Anstey on Nov. 2 2008
Andrew -- that's a whole lot of true you spewin' my brother. 
Thank you for lifting me up. I hope I redeem some Americans for you sometimes.
6- Laurie on Nov. 2 2008
I would be happy as a visitor from outside Massachusetts to send my response to the newspaper... if you think it might be of assistance.
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I came all the way from Chicago to attend the Massachusetts Poetry Festival. I was amazed at the thriving arts community in Lowell and attended all the featured events and several other activities during my stay. I even had the honor of meeting your wonderful Mayor, who welcomed me and several of my friends to this educational and entertaining event. I was blown away by the true artistry of writers such as Regie Gibson, Rhina Espaillat, Martin Espada and Robert Pinsky. I was deeply touched by the beauty imparted by their words. If you were to listen...really listen... you could have the priviledge of hearing it too. I could go into the many reasons you should give free verse another chance, but after reading your words Mr. Phelps... I believe your mind is already made up
"It is the eye of ignorance that assigns a fixed and unchangeable color to every object; beware of this stumbling block." - Paul Gauguin
Laurie Blum
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7- Anstey on Nov. 2 2008
Bill, I will try to edu-mah-cate the boy. It's a fair question you ask there.
By the way, I was actually at the Regie Gibson reading he's talking about -- and the poem he quoted from is absolutely astounding -- it is so good i got CHILLS. By the way, so did Laurie, Julie, my wife Ellen, Leo, and Colleen. It was seriously amazing. I can not understand how a human being could go to Regie's performance and miss the sheer genius of it.
I felt like I'd heard some perfect jazz music improvised and shared that could never be replicated. It was that kind of sublime. And he pulls these 2 lines out of context -- and suddenly, it's nothing? meaningless? It is offensive, but it's sadder than that. It's heartbreaking that a human being could miss something so incredible.
8- Joe R on Nov. 2 2008
My first instinct is that the article is not even worthy of a response. That level of ignorance can never be reasoned with. I get into this argument over jazz all the time. People that closed minded will remain so. Sorry I'm not more help, must be in a cynical mood today. [I know, just today? 
]
Andrew and Laurie, you responses are excellent!
9- Mosquitobyte on Nov. 2 2008
*tries to bow graciously but can't get teh evil grin off his face*
10- Aphasic 
on Nov. 2 2008
I'm not familiar with Mr Phelps, either professionally or personally. Allowing for this lamentable deficit in my knowledge base, I would imagine that he (?), if reading this thread, would be smiling, perhaps thinking to himself "Ha! Gotcha".
My concern, if I were to take it seriously, would relate to a common failure to distinguish between rhyme and rhythm, as though (particularly in poetry) the two are inextricably linked, in the same way that the term 'blank verse' is often used as a synonym for 'free verse'.
Answer: who is Dan Phelps? [thus illustrating my irritating tendency to answer a question with another]
11- Norm on Nov. 3 2008
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
-Emerson
1- ZiGGY
on Nov. 1 2008