DEREK WALCOTT, the celebrated Caribbean poet considered one of the most important figures in post-colonial literature, could be Oxford University's first black Professor of Poetry. So far Andrew Motion has ruled himself out and Ruth Padel has ruled herself in.
Now I can reveal there is a campaign underway by biographer Hermione Lee to have Walcott elected to the position. The five year post is considered the most prestigious in poetry after the laureateship and previous incumbents include W H Auden, Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon.
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9 voices:
It would be very apt imho.
In mine, too, Kay. The guy is dripping with talent and qualifications.
That would make an interesting development, wouldn't it?
On another note, since I know from your blog that President Obama reads Derek Walcott....
There was a Stevie Wonder night at the White House, televised on public television. Many of the best African American jazz singers in the US were there to sing their versions of Stevie Wonder songs. It was such a pleasure to hear. The arts will blossom under Obama.
Stevie Wonder is my favourite singer, ever. Not "I just called to say I love you" but "I was made to love her" and all the rest. Wish I could lay my hands on that evening. "The arts will blossom under Obama."
Fingers crossed.
They would be very lucky to have him.
My sentiments exactly.
Mmm, I'm ambivalent. Walcott's 79, will be 80 next year. While I know the post carries prestige, I think the old poet doesn't need it. Better to leave him alone and let him write and paint.
Stevie wonder is 'n yster ('is an iron' - colloquial Afrikaans expression roughly meaning he is the best, and undoubted expert/specialist, the bomb, the sh-t, etc.) But yes, up to Hotter Than July only. Which, by the way, it is in Cape Town, hotter than a snake's ass in a wagon rut.
Like I say, the guy's oozing with poetry, and while I, too, would like to see him rest up and write, I think those folks across the pond need to hear and listen to someone else beside Matthew Arnold and Swinburne. The impact Walcott would probably have would carry further than the poem room.
Stevie is 'n yster, yes. We used to use this in Lesotho to refer to a burly or tough person. Many 'big' soccer defenders went by the name Yster.
Stevie Wonder has begun to amaze me again beyond Hotter Than July. Today, he's better live. I saw him in Paris a few years back and didn't sit down due to overdancing.
After Obama ruled Derek Walcott out from his inauguration I think this potential Oxford appointment is highly unfair to Derek Walcott. He is a genius, probably the best living poet in the world, but after all the problems he has has with young and vulnerable female students alleging that he offered grades etc for sex, such as this from one of his two sexual harrassment cases
http://world-poetry.suite101.com/article.cfm/derek_walcott
I think he should for the sake of his astonishing reputation be protected by keeping him away from such students with their ridiculous allegations. Surely we can offer him a post away from female students where he can just write his amazing poetry? He needs peace and quiet, not young women alleging that he has offered them grades for sex and so on
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