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Poet and critic James Matthew Wilson drops by to share a few poems, discuss his writing process, and consider the re-emergence of form in contemporary poetry. Chris and James also discuss efforts to foster literary excellence in the culture more broadly. The episode includes its federally mandated Seinfeld reference, but this time it’s James who brings it up.
Show notes: ·
James’s most recent poetry collection, Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds
University of St. Thomas’s MFA program
“Quarantine Notebook” – Part XI
Adrienne Rich reads “At a Bach Concert”
Time stamps:
4:11 – Formalism and narrative poetry
18:17 – Publishers, literary journals, and MFA programs
29:06 – Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds
43:05 – “Quarantine Notebook”
Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist.
Produced by Sean Doolan.
Discussion (2)
CONTRIBUTOR
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I reckon I'm more interested in poetry than about two thirds of the population, and I can barely stand the stuff. That said, I'm Mr. Wilson glad he's out there doing his thing. It's important work. The April 30th poem was pretty good.
Back when I was in junior high my grandma handed me an old collection of poetry. It had a section entitled "Poems that tell a story". There's something to that. You get handed something entitled "The Wreck of the Schooner Hesperus" or "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and you at least know something interesting is going to happen. A lot of poetry doesn't seem to get that far.
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Interesting fellow! Loved the poems and, of course, the federally mandated Seinfeld reference.