November 2001

Nomination: The Dance [30 June 1963 – 12 May 1964 (unfinished).]

‘The Dance’ is my favorite poem (though I believe it’s considered unfinished). I came across the poem some years ago in a collection, and at the beginning of my graduate career, the poem captured many of the notions I had about academia, as well as some of my own romantic frustrations.

I believe that Larkin has been a much maligned and under appreciated writer. I would love to pursue his work in a more scholarly way, but for now, reading some poems before bedtime is a great pleasure.

Marianne Cotugno