RIP Robert Bly

[toomanyhatz]

Great American poet, unfortunately now known mostly for his influence on the "controversial" (I keep seeing that word in the obits) Men's Movement. 

Never read "Iron John," and I certainly get that the image of naked guys pounding drums in the forest is a pretty easy thing to lampoon, but I don't get the 'controversial' thing. I guess it was seen as anti-woman somehow, which seems ridiculous. Seems to me a society of men in closer touch with their origins and history would be a positive thing for everyone. And matches well with his anti-war stance (which is also mentioned repeatedly). 

Anyway, since his poetry is getting ignored in all this, here's a few of them:


www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=28798

www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=39862

www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=39863

[Sneelock]

where's my drum?
well, he was profoundly anti-war so that is sadly enough to make you controversial.
I like his poetry and I liked "Iron John". Looking back it seems like some of his observations have a lot of merit.
rather than traditional "lead the tribe" / responsibility roles mucho hombres still prefer "boyish" roles. many of these have leadership roles in where we find ourselves. bummer.

yeah, that whole "men's movement" made good segments on television "magazine" shows so it got pretty silly. I think Bly did a pretty good job of making hay while the sun shone but also planting his flag on what he stood for. R.I.P.