Post by George J. DancePost by Will DockerySomewhere in one of these threads I go into detail on how I envision the back cover looking... I see some of those thoughts are indeed here.
I have the links you sent, to Howl https://www.poemsearcher.com/topic/howl#&gid=1&pid=3
and Lunch Poems
Post by Will Dockeryhttps://www.burnsiderarebooks.com/pictures/140938359_2.jpg?v=1560136353
- basically, one large block of text. The problem for me is knowing what to put into it. I put together a draft earlier, after reading your PPP article, but I think it still needs work.
"Will Dockery was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1958. Inspired by Poe and the Beatles, and later by Rimbaud and Dylan, he began writing poetry and songs in high school. He has been performing his poetry since the mid-1970s, and publishing it in chapbooks from the early 1980s. He is well known as a street poet in his hometown, winning the 1998 Perky Award for best Columbus poet given by the local entertainment magazine, Playgrounds. (He later wrote for Playgrounds for more than a decade.) He has also been a prolific songwriter, singing and recording his music with local musicians (often under the name Shadowville All-Stars"). Since the turn of the century he has also been posting his poems and songs on the internet, evolving from usenet to myspace, facebook, and most recently instagram."
Getting your thoughts on how I should take it would be helpful, and others' comments could be helpful as well.
I'd add, at the start, something like "Earliest influences were Hank Williams and Popeye..." which led into Edgar Allan Poe and The Beatles.
My 1996 interview might be either helpful or of interest:
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Interview with Will Dockery 1996
Will Dockery interview from Playgrounds Magazine 1996 (Written by Frank Saunders)
Psychedelic Whirlwind an interview with Will Dockery by Frank Saunders
Screenshot of "Poet's Corner Profile featuring William Dockery"
Will Dockery is one of the most interesting people I know. It's a pleasure to call him my friend. He nearly defies description. The closest I've come to an accurate description of Will is this poem I wrote:
Psychedelic Whirlwind Prowling about like a psychedelic cheetah Roving Reporter of seamless nights. -F.S.
FS: Where and when were you born?
WD: La Grange Georgia, 1958.
FS: Who's been your biggest influence in writing poetry?
WD: Alec Lawson. (laughing) At this moment he's a big influence on me.
FS: (laughing) Really?
WD: I don't know if this is going to work now.
FS: Maybe not.
WD: Let's try outside.
We leave Al's apartment and invite everyone down to the courtyard
behind the Loft.*
WD: I think the Southern South of the Sixties influenced me the most. I don't think that Paul Westerberg show is sold out.
FS: You think I could get tickets?
Margie: I might have to work.
Alec: Blow it off.
FS: Sounds good to me.
WD: I gotta get a bead on this interview. Westerberg is a big influence. Let's step back here (pointing to the courtyard). Here is where I get most of my thoughts.
FS: Okay, where were we?
WD: You were asking me about my influences and I was gonna say Kerouac and The Beats but they weren't around then. so I'd have to say Popeye and Hank Williams.
FS: (big laughs and astonishment) What?
WD: Yeah, the '60s Popeye and Hank Williams.
FS: Well yes I loved the '60s Popeye, and Hank Williams is the greatest songwriter ever.
WD: They were a big influence. And who was the guy that played Hank Williams? George Hamilton? George Hamilton playing Hank Williams impersonating Popeye. But I consider myself a Southern poet.
FS: What started your writing?
WD: I would read Poe in Jr. High. I also used to draw a lot of comic strips when I worked at Cartersville Spinning Mill in Jordan City. Then I broke my wrist and George Bush got elected and the mill seemed to shut down simultaneously.
We have an intellectual but irrelevant discussion about our politics.
It adds to the Gestalt of the Will Dockery experience.*
WD: The great songwriters of the 80's Patti Smith, Paul Westerberg and now Pavement influence me a lot. Paul Westerberg has a great line [In Can't Hardly Wait] "Jesus rides beside me and never buys any smokes."
FS: Yeah, I love that line.
WD: ...He rhymes words that other people haven't before. I can't think of any now.
FS: It's rare that you hear rhymes no one has used before.
WD: I attempted some Burroughs cut up work. I haven't done any lately. My scissors are kind of dull.
FS: Some of your lines seem disconnected like that but they work.
WD: Well one time a man was reading over at the Street Preacher's box Mark Coile gave us and it was really garbled. I could only make out a few words here and there - mostly unprintable here in Playgrounds... Hey look, somebody's socks. It's performance art of some kind, I'm sure.
FS: A pair of dirty socks and a red solo cup.
WD: You were talking about the drive between here and LaGrange. I remember making that drive when I was young and hearing "Riders on the Storm" on AM radio. The line "His brain is screaming like a toad."
FS: Yeah, "Take a long holiday. Let your children play."
WD: Yeah I used to get a lot of thoughts drivin' a delivery truck after the mill shut down. You get really close to God behind the wheel of an automobile.
FS: I know I can't help but feel it then. Especially long drives. Speaking of which we are going to Paul Westerberg this weekend.
WD: Yes that's kind of tragic though. I have an extra ticket because the person that I bought it for is... well she won't be going.
FS: Well is there something you would like to say to her maybe in a veiled refernce perhaps?
WD: You should have that in the interview where you ask me that.
FS: Okay.
WD: Okay, I know what to say. I've still got the ticket though the show's over. If you want the ticket - it's better than nothing.
[from Playgrounds Magazine November 1996]
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But, otherwise, at first glance, your back cover text looks good, George... I'll give you more feedback when things even out around here.
