Poetry in Person

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In the fall of 1970, at the New School in Greenwich Village, a new teacher posted a flyer that read, “Meet Poets and Poetry, with Pearl London and Guests.” Initially, few students showed interest, as Pearl London was relatively unknown. However, the seminar soon welcomed notable poets like John Ashbery, Adrienne Rich, and Robert Creely, followed by W. S. Merwin, Mark Strand, and Galway Kinnell. London encouraged poets to share their drafts, fostering discussions about the intricacies of vision and revision that shape a poem. Over the years, the book chronicles an extraordinary lineup of poets, including Maxine Kumin, Amy Clampitt, and Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, illustrating their creative processes through original drafts. Conversations with James Merrill explore autobiography, while Galway Kinnell discusses the inclusion of urban themes in nature poetry. June Jordan addresses political poetry with her “Poem in Honor of South African Women.” The intimate and humorous dialogues reveal the evolution of works like Robert Hass’s “Meditation at Lagunitas” and Edward Hirsch’s “Wild Gratitude.” This compilation offers unparalleled insight into the art of poetry, showcasing how great poems are crafted.