Your conversation with Jeremiah was so rich, Ben. Every time I wanted to to underline something I find another "aha" phrase later on. Many of his attitudes and comments remind me of Malcolm Guite's view of poetry, it's source purpose and meaning. I have a copy of Jeremiah's book, "After So Many Fires" and while the bulk of the poems seem oblique for this 7th decade writer, I am particularly taken by many of the poems in Section III.
I think one of my favorite things about all these interviews so far is the consistency of the poets in stressing what's important. Write poetry because you love it. Write it because it speaks to YOU. Write it because it gives expression to what I otherwise couldn't express. Write for eternity. Write because of our wondrous connection with Logos. All of these have been echoes of my own heart, but hearing it from these tried and true names in the arena gives such encouragement to keep doing what I'm doing and not give in to the pull of comparison or statistics. Thanks for these reminders!
Your conversation with Jeremiah was so rich, Ben. Every time I wanted to to underline something I find another "aha" phrase later on. Many of his attitudes and comments remind me of Malcolm Guite's view of poetry, it's source purpose and meaning. I have a copy of Jeremiah's book, "After So Many Fires" and while the bulk of the poems seem oblique for this 7th decade writer, I am particularly taken by many of the poems in Section III.
His students are lucky to have him.
I think one of my favorite things about all these interviews so far is the consistency of the poets in stressing what's important. Write poetry because you love it. Write it because it speaks to YOU. Write it because it gives expression to what I otherwise couldn't express. Write for eternity. Write because of our wondrous connection with Logos. All of these have been echoes of my own heart, but hearing it from these tried and true names in the arena gives such encouragement to keep doing what I'm doing and not give in to the pull of comparison or statistics. Thanks for these reminders!