Friday Poem

Poetry
Art and Environment
Edward Hessler

Photo taken by Bobak Ha'Eri, on July 12, 2008.

Today's poem is by James Wright. Mr. Wright taught at the University of Minnesota with John Berryman, a major figure in American poetry during the second half of the 20th century.

It is titled "The Minneapolis Poem."

Here is an interview with Mr. Wright from the Paris Review in a series on the art of poetry. I must alert you that this interview is long (and rich, providing insights on Wright's work and his views of poetry, teaching, other poets and writing. Wright did his Ph.D. on Dickens and noted that his main subject as a teacher is the English novel.).

The unedited interview when typed was 83 pp!  The Paris Review shortened it for publication but it is still long and I add, endlessly fascinating. It also has a very funny story in it about a Jewish rabbi.

So, with the length of this recommendation in mind, here is a shorter biography from Wikipedia which notes that it is in need of work for citation verifications. Still, I urge you to at least skim the long interview. I don't think you will be disappointed.