I deplore the lack of interest in poetry in the U.S. Does this go back to creative education?
Yes, I think so. Not enough teachers know how to excite young people...beyond the elementary school age...in the joys and challenges in reading (and writing) poetry. We've had a long line of poet laureates attempting to inspire the young...or not so young. Even among my own circle of friends, the interest is minimal. Another thought seems obvious...that our country is so geared toward toward money-making and power...supposedly in the interest of pragmatism...that the arts in general, and poetry in particular...are seen as extraneous and not part of the practical quotidian. Is it any wonder that other societies look upon us as little more than naive, uncultured, not to be respected?
