QUICK TIP FROM CHARLES BERNSTEIN ON WHAT MAKES A POEM A POEM

Charles Bernstein is one of the L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poets, one of the guys who shook up American Poetry scene in the late 70s - early 80s with his inherently bombastic writings. From the late 80s to early 00s he held a position at the University of Buffalo where he co-founded legendary Electronic Poetry Center. Now he teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and shares his experience with everybody. Here's a little tip from him:

For those of you who don't want to watch the whole video (it lasts horrendous minute and a half) - here's the transcript:

My lecture is called "What Makes a Poem a Poem?".

I'm going to set my timer.

It's not rhyming words at the end of a line.
It's not form.
It's not structure.
It's not loneliness.
It's not location.
It's not the sky.
It's not love.
It's not the color.
It's not the feeling.
It's not the meter.
It's not the place.
It's not the intention.
It's not the desire.
It's not the weather.
It's not the hope.
It's not the subject matter.
It's not the death.
It's not the birth.
It's not the trees.
It's not the words.
It's not the things between the words.
It's not the meter.
It's not the meter-

(timer beeps)

It's the timing.