Unfinished Painting

I have to admit that Mary Jo was a professor of mine, 10 (or more) years ago. I have always followed her poetry, though not when I was a student of hers. This collection reveals (again) Ms. Salter's relationship to family, to historical figures (particularly Emily Dickenson), to place and time.....Particularly important is Salter's "Elegies for Etsuko"......what a profound and felt piece of prose for a friend, a woman.....Salter says, "Given how brief a spell....happiness usually is, and the ways people are forever failing us, with time it shocks me less you didn't mind leaving the two of them behind; yes yes, I see that, I see it very well..." Salter goes on to question a gendered way of relationships, although always being deeply connected to those relationships (with her husband, her children,her students, etc.). Ms. Salter is a deeply thoughtful, grounded, intelligent and important poet (and teacher)...

Ihave to admit that Mary Jo was a professor of mine, 10 (or more) years ago. I have alsways followed her poetry, though not when I was a student of hers. This collections reveals (again) Ms. Salter's relationship to family, to historical figures (particularly Emily Dickenson), to place and time.....Particularly important is Salter's "Elegies for Etsuko"......what a profound and felt piece of prose for a friend, a woman.....Salter says, "Given how brief a spell....happiness usually is, and the ways people are forever failing us, with time it shocks me less you didn't mind leaving the two of them behind; yes yes, I see that, I see it very well..." Salter goes on to question a gendered way of relationships, although always being deeply connected to those relationships (with her husband, her children,her students, etc.). Ms. Salter is a deeply thoughtful, grounded, intelligent and important poet (and teacher)...