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Question: Is it true, before her new gig, Kay Ryan's last paying job netted $25!?
*****
Outsider Art
by Kay Ryan, Poet Laureate of the United States!.

Most of it’s too dreary
or too cherry red!.
If it’s a chair, it’s
covered with things
the savior said
or should have said—
dense admonishments
in nail polish
too small to be read!.
If it’s a picture,
the frame is either
burnt matches glued together
or a regular frame painted over
to extend the picture!. There never
seems to be a surface equal
to the needs of these people!.
Their purpose wraps
around the backs of things
and under arms;
they gouge and hatch
and glue on charms
till likable materials–
apple crates and canning funnels–
lose their rural ease!. We are not
pleased the way we thought
we would be pleased!.

*****
Kay Ryan 1997Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I really hope I don't offend anyone, but I don't like it!. It does not read like poetry or flow, and would be easier read and understood written as a paragraph!. I guess this is the point that I show my ignorance of the world of poetry!.

Most of it’s too dreary or too cherry red!. If it’s a chair, it’s covered with things the savior said or should have said— dense admonishments in nail polish too small to be read!. If it’s a picture, the frame is either burnt matches glued together or a regular frame painted over to extend the picture!. There never seems to be a surface equal to the needs of these people!. Their purpose wraps around the backs of things and under arms; they gouge and hatch and glue on charms till likable materials– apple crates and canning funnels– lose their rural ease!. We are not pleased the way we thought we would be pleased!.

From a poet laureate, I really expect something much better than what I just read!. But that is just my uneducated opinion, and not necessarily reflective of the opinions of management!.
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Sounds like she is not a fan of most modern art!. The subtleties of this is that it can also be applied to a lot of creative endeavors, like poetry!. Caught up in the embellishments while losing the gist of what was intended!. The end result is not pleasing!. Interesting style!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Only $25! But this is exquisite! Granted, it would be as she is the poet laureate but still!. For those who don't know, we who write poetry have to do it for love!.!.!.there's no money involved!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

This could well be a description of a poem!. It sounds to me like something you are trying to teach new poets not to do!. All art is inter-related!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I like this poem quite a lot!.

But, who's the "outsider" !?

Siza, Mackintosh, Van Der Rohe, Scarpa !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

My ex-husband is an outsider artist, and I really appreciate what this poet is saying!. Would that I were so eloquent!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Maybe true, but I'm not sure you're really asking this question, or wanted to hear opinions!. As an artist, these are my thoughts!. Love it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

She's objectified the objects!.

I like this poem!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Proof that it ain't about the money!.
I also just read her Bad Day!. I really like her style!Www@QuestionHome@Com