Sunday 19 August 2018

In Memoriam Tom Clark

Last Friday, Tom died. He was a poet of critical intensity, alive to the possibilities of language. Given the man's intellectual courage, there was something beyond the pale about the work. He got the game too clearly and said so.

Billy Collins said he was a lyric imp. Well, I suppose. There should be no mistake, though: the play led to serious ends. The work mattered and, and times, bit with bright incisors.

I'd corresponded with Tom for a number of years. He was a dear friend and a mentor. I wish I'd had the chance to sit and talk with him in person. I can't overestimate the importance of his friendship. In writing, he'll remain the first reader in my mind.

All my love and thoughts are with Angelica, who shared life with Tom for fifty years.

9 comments:

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  2. Terrible, terrible news and you and I both know how careful he was about such accidents, having narrowly missed being killed some years ago near the same spot I assume. What a waste. I grieve for a dear, dear friend and wonderful poet.

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  3. No one's going to fill that space.

    Some idiot in an SUV, I assume. Makes me bloody angry.

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    1. I've been walking around in a sad haze all day. Awful news.

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  4. I think TC really admired your writing, too, as I do. I hope you turn your bus series into a book.

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    1. Whatever's of worth in the work I learnt from himself.

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