"Epilogue" by Robert Lowell (poetry reading)

Description

Called "Epilogue" because this was the last poem in the book, and his mission statement as a confessional poet - the word confessional was first applied to Lowell - and defines his dilemma too. (Why Lowell is called the first confessional poet I have no idea. What about Catullus and Ovid?) Truth and Art are a misalliance an unhappy marriage. Do you say what is true or what you wish to be true? Do you have a choice? Even a snapshot is contrived. Most Art is a fraud, somewhat like advertising ...