Russell Atkins (b. February 25, 1926) is a major figure of experimental poetry, but outside of his hometown, Cleveland, he is little known and hardly read. Besides poetry, Atkins is also a composer and he has a completely idiosyncratic way of thinking about both poetry and music. Atkins insists that he makes poems like a composer and writes music like a painter.
Thanks for introducing me to Atkins's work and life, Sean. This stood out to me: "Atkins’s aesthetic is an embrace of the African-American human being and a rejection of both cultural nationalism and cultural antebellumism, a psychology that expects people to stay in their place. In terms of poetry, Atkins is all about adding possibilities instead of cutting off possibilities."
As a wild coincidence, I typed up the manuscript for Atkins’s book in connection with some work done years ago for the CSU Poetry Center. So great to see him recognized here!
Thanks for introducing me to Atkins's work and life, Sean. This stood out to me: "Atkins’s aesthetic is an embrace of the African-American human being and a rejection of both cultural nationalism and cultural antebellumism, a psychology that expects people to stay in their place. In terms of poetry, Atkins is all about adding possibilities instead of cutting off possibilities."
Thank you!
As a wild coincidence, I typed up the manuscript for Atkins’s book in connection with some work done years ago for the CSU Poetry Center. So great to see him recognized here!
Cool!