We have been archiving all the tapes from Babar, and some of the other associated readings. It's a slow process, getting them at the correct quality with all the noise, inconsistency, etc, but could keep you posted as things get remastered and brought back to life. Let me know.
Thankyou Erik for re-posting this poem along with Patti Smith's fine recitation. As the director of the in-progress feature documentary about Julia's life and legacy, I'd like to inform everyone that I'm aiming for a Spring 2026 completion, contingent on funding. I will be offering sneak-peak previews for any donation amount--past or future--later this summer. Please join the film mailing list to keep apprised. Lastly, I've produced a brand-new collection of my 28 most cherished Julia Vinograd poems, lovingly selected from her entire oeuvre and brimming with archival photos of Julia and intimate close-ups of her typewriter's mechanical interior. This e-book, like the film, is a balm for our brokenness and a testament to Vinograd's indefatigable commitment to her craft. Please give to the documentary about the woman who gave by ordering your 'Of Spirit and Stone' e-book today. More info here: https://www.betweenspiritandstonethefilm.com/support/merch/
Thoughtful poem. I remember the Bubble Lady, who was often on Telegraph Ave when I was in college at Berkeley (1977-82), frequently at the Cafe Med as well. She seemed like a nice sort, always blowing bubbles. I think it took me a while to realize she was a poet. At least, it wasn't the first thing I knew about her....I may have read some of her poems around that time, though it's been so long that I couldn't swear to it.....I was sorry to hear she had passed.
These lines are some of Julia's best writing. Her Selected Works was almost titled "the unequal battle with beauty" but standing on its own it seemed pretentious, and Julie was never pretentious. But a great line, especially in the context of this poem. In 1989, our friend David Lerner called me up all agog having rediscovered and found himself in love with Julia's poetry from this line and poem.
I had to analyze poetry for one of my literature classes and always felt guilty and dirty. I complained to my professor that it felt like ‘dissecting an angel’.
I came across a stapled volume of her poems at Chicago House in Austin, Texas. Charmed, I snaffled it. (I sent a replacement copy.) Decades later, I came across another of her poems, and paid way over cover price for her latest volume, with a letter of thanks.
Recently found her work and got one of her books. Great stuff and I'm getting another. Good to hear of a documentary on her, would love to see it and hope it gets released. Another poet I think would make a great movie or documentary is Anna Akhmatova. She had a very tumultuous life living through WWI, WWII, Stalin, gulags and constant govt pressure to conform.
We have been archiving all the tapes from Babar, and some of the other associated readings. It's a slow process, getting them at the correct quality with all the noise, inconsistency, etc, but could keep you posted as things get remastered and brought back to life. Let me know.
Here is a recording of Julia reading this poem at Cafe Babar, June 23, 1988
https://www.zeitgeist-press.com/index.php/authors/julia-vinograd/
I believe there is a recording in the set of Julia reading this poem. Will see what we can do about posting it somewhere.
Ha! Yes! I sometimes feel this way while in a class or workshop dissecting the poem of yet another well-intended -- even talented -- writer.
Society has an inane urge to explain art and poetry. If only they could just feel it. Thank you Julia Vinograd. Stay fierce.
Thankyou Erik for re-posting this poem along with Patti Smith's fine recitation. As the director of the in-progress feature documentary about Julia's life and legacy, I'd like to inform everyone that I'm aiming for a Spring 2026 completion, contingent on funding. I will be offering sneak-peak previews for any donation amount--past or future--later this summer. Please join the film mailing list to keep apprised. Lastly, I've produced a brand-new collection of my 28 most cherished Julia Vinograd poems, lovingly selected from her entire oeuvre and brimming with archival photos of Julia and intimate close-ups of her typewriter's mechanical interior. This e-book, like the film, is a balm for our brokenness and a testament to Vinograd's indefatigable commitment to her craft. Please give to the documentary about the woman who gave by ordering your 'Of Spirit and Stone' e-book today. More info here: https://www.betweenspiritandstonethefilm.com/support/merch/
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Brava!
"...Some of a poet’s work comes from his life, ok.
But most of a poet’s work comes
in spite of his life, in spite of everything,
even in spite of bookstores.."
Thoughtful poem. I remember the Bubble Lady, who was often on Telegraph Ave when I was in college at Berkeley (1977-82), frequently at the Cafe Med as well. She seemed like a nice sort, always blowing bubbles. I think it took me a while to realize she was a poet. At least, it wasn't the first thing I knew about her....I may have read some of her poems around that time, though it's been so long that I couldn't swear to it.....I was sorry to hear she had passed.
"So you don’t have to waste your time
on the best the writer could do,
the words he fought the darkness and himself for,
the unequal battle with beauty."
These lines are some of Julia's best writing. Her Selected Works was almost titled "the unequal battle with beauty" but standing on its own it seemed pretentious, and Julie was never pretentious. But a great line, especially in the context of this poem. In 1989, our friend David Lerner called me up all agog having rediscovered and found himself in love with Julia's poetry from this line and poem.
It’s a bit like a Cupcake, if you fancy the real thing you wouldn’t go to the book shop to buy a picture book on Cupcakes.
I hope the documentary isn't too much like the books in the bookstore.
Please see the trailer! https://www.betweenspiritandstonethefilm.com/watch/trailer/
I read poetry to borrow great words to inhabit my philosophy.
And I offer a quote:
"In my work, as a writer, I only photograph, in words, what I see."
Charles Bukowoski
Devastating poem! Thanks for sharing.
I had to analyze poetry for one of my literature classes and always felt guilty and dirty. I complained to my professor that it felt like ‘dissecting an angel’.
I came across a stapled volume of her poems at Chicago House in Austin, Texas. Charmed, I snaffled it. (I sent a replacement copy.) Decades later, I came across another of her poems, and paid way over cover price for her latest volume, with a letter of thanks.
That's awesome!
Recently found her work and got one of her books. Great stuff and I'm getting another. Good to hear of a documentary on her, would love to see it and hope it gets released. Another poet I think would make a great movie or documentary is Anna Akhmatova. She had a very tumultuous life living through WWI, WWII, Stalin, gulags and constant govt pressure to conform.