9/23 p3

The Voice: selected Poems of Robert Desnos Crossman 1972

p x intro by William Kulik

In 1936, Desnos undertook an experiment: to write a poem a day every day of the year. With this project, he begins to move toward a greater concentration on form, and away from automatism. Writing in 1942, he attributes this shift of concern to his passionate involvement in the “almost mathematical” work of creating slogans for radio, work in which the demands of the form required a strict adherence to the rhythms of popular speech.

sounds in the wind etc — spirit of place
the monument in different lights shifting aspects

the soar in the mist
midst

a train crossing the river

eagle — speaker

frozen moments
flowing  time         the Saranac river
passing time

Desnos p45

A wallflower fades in a garden gone to seed
The memory of a dress at the bend of an avenue
Venetian blinds beating against a sash.
...
A stairway full of shadow
A door left ajar
A woman surprised naked.