“There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the Library of Congress and advise the librarian. The rest is how I want to promote poetry.”
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If we really want to be full and generous in spirit, we have no choice but to trust at some level.
The poetry that sustains me is when I feel that, for a minute, the clouds have parted and I've seen ecstasy or something.
Have you ever heard a good joke? If you've ever heard someone just right, with the right pacing, then you're already on the way to poetry. It's about using words in very precise ways and using gesture.
I see a resurgence of interest in poetry. I am less optimistic about the prospects for the arts when it comes to federal funding.