Writing Quote by B.P. Nichol
““. Maybe postmodern writers like me all have post-atomic poetic feet & that’s what makes them ugly to the pre-atomic eye & difficult to notate. Maybe this is THE ATTACK OF THE MUTANT POST-ATOMIC FEET! Maybe this is why we’re always saying the words: ‘take me to your reader.””
About This Quote
Source Poetry Collection: “The Book of the Dead” by B.P. Nichol, 1975
He critiques post‑modern poetry as alienating to traditional readers, using vivid metaphor of “post‑atomic feet” to illustrate its perceived ugliness and incomprehensibility.
In simple terms: He feels modern poetry is hard for older readers to understand.
Key Takeaway
Consider how experimental forms affect audience reception.
Themes
poetry
modernism
communication
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary analysis
- poetry readings
- academic seminars
Key Concepts
literary criticism
genre theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a poetic style accessible or alienating?
- Can avant‑garde art bridge gaps between generations?
A Different Perspective
Experimental poetry may alienate readers seeking clarity.
