February 25, 2005

on taste and youth, with a coda about my being an asshole.

By Tony Brown

Taste, for me, is a word I use to describe differing levels of appeal.

Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis are incredibly talented trumpeters of great import in the history of American music. Undisputed fact, to my eyes.

Miles’s work appeals to my taste. Dizzy’s does not.

When I say that my judgment of a person is not a matter of taste to me, it has absolutely no relevance to anyone else’s sense of taste for that person’s work, and no disrespect is intended.

For those of you following this: I made a comment regarding a young poet in our scene that I wasn’t fond of his work, and that my discomfort is not a matter of taste to me. I should have been clearer, so I will be now.

I can see his potential, and I can see his talent. In fact, I may someday develop a taste for his work. But I can’t tell yet, because what I cannot see is that his level of development at using those things is equal to the task at his hand, and a disservice is done to him when he is treated as though it was.

I used other young poets as a measuring stick to show that it’s not just a matter of age and experience to my eyes that a person becomes “good.” There’s at least one 19 year old in Worcester I’d stack up against a lot of older poets for the time and energy he’s put into developing his chops. But I would never expect anyone to be “as good” as anyone else, or to be anyone except themselves.

Dos that make sense?

Now then: to the coda.

This is all my opinion; other opinions may vary, and be as well or as ill informed as my own. They are all valid opinions as they are based in the solid observations of solid observers.

I’m making this post in public penance for last night’s debacle. I sat up actively weeping for a while afterward, because I hate being at odds with people I love. There aren’t many of those in the world.

I’ve been told I contribute to my own loneliness. True enough. Shit like this doesn’t help me or anyone else. I know that’s true, too.

I want us to be more tough minded as a community (as a community; that’s not aimed at anyone in particular) about the balance between the praise and the solid, non-personal but effective critique we offer developing poets. I try to do that; but that’s not a reason for me to be an arrogant, self righteous dickhead. (And I use the word “dickhead” advisedly.)

I don’t trust myself to know what I need to do anymore.

So to anyone offended last night; to anyone reading the thread who didn’t comment; to Ansel, if he’s reading this; and most especially to Dawn, who I am crushed about offending: please accept a heartfelt apology, and know that I’m going to do better.

About Tony Brown

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A poet with a history in slam, lots of publications; my personal poetry and a little bit of daily life and opinions. Read the page called "About..." for the details. View all posts by Tony Brown
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