Robert Bly, C.K. Williams & Michael Klein: Corporate Intimacy in Prose Poetry

Abstract

This advanced project explores the genre of the prose poetry form taking specific note of its shape, sound, and structure. It considers the juxtaposition of intimacy and inclusivity within the form in the prose poetry work of three poets, Robert Bly, C.K. Williams, and Michael Klein. Reader-response theory is also addressed to theoretically ground the conversation and infuse the concept of community and connection in and through this poetic form. Drawing on the accessible and personal nature that prose poetry can invite, this project examines how each poet exemplifies the idea of “created corporate intimacy” as it is applied to all three poets’ work as a means to further discuss the relationship of the reader and writer—and what these writers allow—and that is a sense of intimacy between the speaker of their poems and the readers, and the relational connection of readers.