11. Bob Perelman, "Chronic Meanings"

Bob Perelman's poem consisting of 5-word lines was written as a pre-elegy for the poet and editor Leland Hickman, who had recently received a fatal diagnosis of AIDS. What sort of elegaic poem is this? What effect is created by the formal constraint Perelman imposes upon himself.

1. read the poem: link to text
2. read Perelman's commentary on the poem: link to text
3. listen to Perelman's commentary on the poem: link to audio
4. listen to Perelman perform the poem: link to PennSound
5. watch a 21-minute discussion of the poem: link to video