1st Edition
Orality, Form, and Lyric Unity Poetics of Michael Donaghy and Don Paterson
Introduction
1. Michael Donaghy: Form, Memory, and Oral Poetics
Form as a Shaping Force for Meaning
The Logic of Form, the Mechanics of Magic
Complexity as a Strategy
Poems in Relation
Cryptic Logistics
The Living Word
Oral Tradition as a Model
Oral Culture as a Source
Making Connections, Forging a Context
Orality on the Page
Text of an Oral Tradition
Word-Perfect
The Function of Expression
Irish Traditional Music: A Performative Model
"I Told My Tale Well"
Conclusion: Rational Mystic
2. Don Paterson: Orality, Reality, and "One Big Word"
Context and Voice
Orality and Unity: Oneness of a Word
Poetic Form: Elements in Relation
Sound System
The Art of the Uncontrived
Rational Rhythms
Unity and Truth: A Relative Perspective
Borges and the Divine Utterance
"Nothing Was Broken": Redemption, Order, and Emptiness
Religion and the Absolute
Illuminating the Mundane
Conclusion: Lyric Faith
Afterword
Biography
Beverley Nadin was awarded a doctorate in Creative Writing by Newcastle University, UK, in 2019. Her poetry has won, among other prizes, second prize in the Poetry London competition and a commendation in the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition. Her poems are published in journals and anthologies including PN Review, The Rialto, Magma, The North, and Long Poem Magazine. This will be her first critical publication. She has no current academic affiliation.
