In advance of Marc Harshman’s reading at the West Virginia Book Festival, 12:30 p.m., Sunday, I talked briefly with the poet laureate. Here is a short clip from that conversation.
I hope you come to hear him. My impression of him is that he is friendly, energetic, very literate and down-to-earth.
Listen to an excerpt from our brief conversation:
Read Doug Imbrogno’s story about Harshman on Page 1 of the Saturday Gazette-Mail and online here.
“ABZ: A Poetry Magazine — Seven” –This issue dedicated to the memory of Irene McKinney — More than 30 good poets.
ABZ Press — Typed poems only via PO. No email. Poems read 9/1 to 12/1 only. Click here for contact info.
Thank you, editors John McKernan and James Raffle, and all the poets, for another strong issue.
The creative writing faculty of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Master of Fine Arts program will be reading from their original work at Taylor Books in Charleston, 6 p.m., Friday, October 12, in conjunction with the West Virginia Book Festival.
Friday’s reading will feature program director Jessie van Eerden, prose writers Richard Schmitt and Eric Waggoner, and poets Mark Defoe and Doug Van Gundy. The readers will be reading from new and recent work, and copies of their books will be available for sale.
Wesleyan’s low-residency MFA in creative writing offers an apprenticeship model that enables students to earn a master’s degree without having to uproot their lives. Students are on campus for an intense residency period of nine to ten days each summer and winter, and complete their semester course work through correspondence with a mentor. Launched by Irene McKinney, who served as West Virginia’s poet laureate until her death last February, the program continues to honor her vision: the dynamic core faculty is committed to fostering the creation of fine literature, particularly literature that explores place and identity. This program is the only one of its kind in the state.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information about Wesleyan’s creative writing program, contact MFA director Jessie van Eerden by email or call her at 304.473.8329.
Marc Harshman, W.Va. poet laureate, sits for a portrait painted by Yan Sun.– Read the Wheeling Intelligencer story, “A Portrait Worth A Thousand Words” by Linda Comins.
Mark Doty, chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, prompts us to remember the Poets Forum, the Academy’s annual gathering of voices, coming up October 18-20 in New York City. Check it out.
“This essential annual colloquy provides the best of company, and it reminds me that we have never needed poetry more than we do now. The art brings us together, shows us where we are, stirs us to greater life. I hope you’ll come join us this October, and drink it in,” Doty said last week.
All-events passes are discounted until Sept. 15.
Sappho
What is your favorite poem? A Zen koan? Contemporary or ancient? Local or national? Diverse world poetry? Vintage W.Va.? Is it some poem by someone who seemed to zero in precisely on your story?
I think of those famous lines of Sappho’s, her thoughts of her muse, her love, a powerful stirring… Was it translated by Sir Philip Sidney, reinvigorated by Louis Zukofsky in “A Test of Poetry”?
“Mine eyes be dim, my limbs shake, / My voice is hoarse, my throat scorched, / My tongue to this my roof cleaves”
Do you like the elegance of Dryden? The bluntness of Bukowski? Your own work?
Poetry at last may be the only record of our sentient, day-to-day lives, as we experience the moments up close. Think of what we know of the Romans, the Europeans, the cowboys, the drunks of Hollywood. Does any slice of life really come to life in your mind? There’s a lot of bad poetry out there, and a lot of good poetry. What makes it good?
Please write to me, let me know your favorite poem, and quickly say why. Thanks!
Marc Harshman
Pam May, festival chairwoman, said, “In addition to reading his poems, Harshman will reflect upon the rich legacies of Louise McNeill and Irene McKinney, the Laureates who most immediately preceded him.
“Harshman is also a storyteller and author of 11 children’s books. He is a recipient of the West Virginia Arts Commission Fellowship in Poetry, has won an award from Literal Latté and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He has degrees from Bethany College, Yale University and the University of Pittsburgh. His storybook, “The Storm,” was a Smithsonian Notable Book, and he has new children’s books forthcoming from Macmillan/Roaring Brook and Eerdmans.”
For information, visit www.wvbookfestival.org.
“Nothing in life is certain, It’s less certain as a poet. You have to commit to the uncertainty. You have to commit to unreasonable devotion, and to an art that, though practiced by many, is appreciated by very few.” — Jeffrey Skinner, “The 6.5 Practices of Moderately Successful Poets: A Self-Help Memoir
Doug Imbrogno is one of the surprise spoken words artists at Sunday’s FestivALL ending Fishbowl event 7 to 9 p.m. at Bluegrass Kitchen followed by poetry open mic at the Glass and the band Hybrid Soul. Don’t miss it!
AN evening of prose and song begins at Bluegrass Kitchen with a Poets Dinner, 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, June 24, 2012. Poets, including guests from the Affrilachian Poets, will stand at their tables to recite.
Dinner menu will include noshes and full entrees and the bar will be open. All ages welcome.
If you would like to read during this dinner please contact Crystal Good at cgoodwoman@rocketmail.com. Deadline for reading — noon, Friday, June 22.
Gazette Life Section
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