Preface - Electronic Poetry Center

From: Tom Mandel
Subject: Re: apex of the m…
In James Sherry’s post he rightly sees the apexers critique cum rejection of the
Language poets in a continuum with the LP’s treatment of the generation
preceding. Surely, it is true that this need to get this seemingly pervasive
presence out of the way, so to clear a space to write, afflicts or at least affects
any generation. I don’t like it, but it makes sense to me; I can even see it as a
strength of character.
There remains the question of what is done in this cleared space, and by whom.
I’m not sure I understand the first 1/3d of James’ post, unless he is beginning to
list the features of Language Poetry that he sees as taken over by the Apex of
the M group. If so, I’m interested to read a more lengthy treatment of that. Of
these non-thing objects.
The influence on some Language poets of the NY school is also undeniable,
esp. on the early work of Charles Bernstein, Kit Robinson, Steve Benson, Tom
Mandel, and others.
The intellectual rigor of Language theory is also as open to critique as the intro
to the Apex volume which lurks behind this discourse (smugly, non-dislodged,
I think). You have only to read the banner and statement of intentions in the
early Language magazines (w/ =, etc.) to find yourself in an ill-stirred pudding
of the Whorf-Sapir thesis, an utterly misconceived version of the
speech/language distinction in (oh what’s his name; the swiss linguist’s lectures
– I really am losing my grip if I can’t remember his name… and I can’t!), and
other sinking suspensions. But, this in no way excuses the Apex intro, does it?
All the same, I’m not sure there’re any definite lessons of the enlightenment
which must be held onto, but James will have expected my disagreement in that
matter. I am an utterly secular person (that is, I cd describe myself as an utterly
spiritual person), and in some sense I like the world I live in (less and less). But
I’m afraid I must say that the secularizing of the world over the last 500 years
has not pluralized the world, not at all. Just different and even more baleful
idols being worshipped. And it is a pluralizing, call it a creolizing if you want,
of our world is all can save it. Purity cults, even my favorite one the Pharisees,
have demonstrated their horrendous effects over and over, and theese are