poetry mini interviews

Why is poetry important? Language and communication is a precious gift. The more language is used and trashed by those who seek to manipulat...

What poets changed the way you thought about writing? In order: Allen Ginsberg, Jorie Graham, Mei Mei Berssenbrugge, Nathaniel Tarn, Mary Ol...

How do you know when a poem is finished? I suppose it’s finished when nothing or almost nothing about it irks me anymore, or when too much a...

How does a poem begin? With a word, a phrase or a line, a photo, a memory, a conversation with a friend or a stranger, something I saw on my...

What poets changed the way you thought about writing?   All great poets in their way change us in some way, but I can name a few who stick o...

How did you first engage with poetry?  During middle school, I was very emotional and felt alienated from my parents and peers. I was spendi...

How does your work first enter the world? Do you have a social group or writers group that you work ideas and poems with? When I first start...