ASSENT 1 is a partial reconstruction of a text-as-performed from Sub-Voicive on 29 6 90, a reading from and semi-improvisation upon a set of six interrelated but discrete texts which had been written during May and June of 1990 and which were themselves variations on my cartoon "the lies my wife told me". In this reconstruction, I have made several amendments to the text.
ASSENT 2 consists of all the ASSENT texts (now numbering seven), run together, and incorporating the changes made since 29th June.
In my preliminary remarks at Sub Voicive, I spoke of "things that jazz can do which poetry cannot" and indicated that this and other pieces of writing are an attempt to give poetry that extra dimension and perception. For me the attempt is as important as the artefact itself.
I am aware that much may be lost in the process: semantic clarity, for instance. I accept that loss though I am aware that in so doing I am accepting on behalf of potential readers who may be less than happy! I think of ASSENT as experimental; but I do not use the word "experimental" as a code for a text in which the writing is difficult even though I realise that it is not easy.
I leave open the question of the relationship of these texts to Coltrane's music. ASCENSION was a starting point. I played it incessantly during the writing. I consider it an outstanding work.
Lawrence Upton
May 1991