April 27, 2014 Dennis Phillips Part 2

On April 27th, we played part two of our interview with Dennis Phillips, when we discussed his book Measures (Talisman House Publishers, 2013). We start this hour discussing the use of pronouns in this particular book (pronouns also came up when we interviewed Dennis about Navigation) and how these are related to the personal. Dennis talked about writing in Hawaii, which is prominent in this work. During the interview, he describes the writing processes for particular poems but also the philosophy he employs while writing in general. He showed us the actual journal he uses (sorry listeners). After the top of the hour, the interview moved onto narrative and how language is inherently involved in narrative. Dennis shared how he plays with the 'driving linear force' in his writing. Towards the end of the interview, we talked about Dennis's line and the rhythm that seems so effortless but is actually the product of his important attention to "theme and refrain,' syllables and notes. Understanding why a poet breaks the line is something he impresses upon his students.  He is very interested in the dynamics and contrasts at play within the line and within the poem. We end our talk discussing the title of his book.
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April 20, 2014 Dennis Phillips Part one

This past Sunday we played part one of our two-part interview with poet Dennis Phillips. Dennis has been a guest on Poet as Radio before, and we were thrilled that he returned to talk to us about his new book Measures (Talisman House 2013). After reading some poems to open the interview, Dennis described the basic format of the book, which is organized in alphabetical order. He talked about the influence Dante's allegories had on his writing poetry. The Odyssey is also part of the 'palette' that is used to paint these wonderful poems. Nicholas introduced the idea of grounding and place in the Dennis's work.
After the top/bottom of the hour, the interview moved into a discussion of the poem as 'puzzle,' as observed by Jay, as well as the density and significance of the content. It is work that 'invites slow and attentive reading.' There is an aliveness and immediacy to this work, which prompted a discussion of music and its ability to move one to emotion without a discernible intellectual explanation as to how. Towards the end of the hour, we touched on beauty and modernism in writing. Dennis talked about how he finds beauty in difficult work, poetry that inspires a continual pondering and engagement.
We will play the second half of this interview on April 27th.
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April 6, 2014 Don Hagelberg's poetry and roundtable discussion

This Sunday we were pleased to read a text poetry submission by Don Hagelberg. (Thanks Don!) From reading his work we discussed how epigraphs are used in poetry and how the use of quotes illustrates a sense of community, with other writers but also other important social figures. We are reminded of the political aspects of writing and the way in which poetry specifically manifests the act of the witness.
After the top of the hour, we had a round table discussion about our own experience with Poet as Radio. In case any of you were curious, we reviewed how we were initiated into online radio. During our beginning months, we tended to over-prepare for our interviews; we have since learned to scale things down in order to interact with our guests more spontaneously. We are so grateful to have talked to so many wonderful writers. We reflected on how our interviews influence our own writing and how our writing habits have been changed through doing the show. Also, we've found that producing the show means we get to take greater part of this wonderful writing community.
Thank you to all our guests, past and future!
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On a sadder note, we announced the passing of poet and beautiful person, Colleen Lookingbill. We will have a memorial show in her honor on May 25th.