Alfred Corn's Blog

The late James Laughlin was devoted to poetry as few are. He sought out the person he most admired to ask for advice. Pound read JL's early efforts and concluded that JL did not have what it takes to succeed as a poet. What he did have was a family fortune. Pound suggested that JL establish a press, using that fortune. The press turned out to be New Directions. It's good to recall that being a devoted reader of poetry, supporting the art in whatever way you can, is just as noble as writing it, and perhaps more. Affirm what you do. But the primary and overriding allegiance must and will be to literature itself.

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