Re: Levine and Kumanyakaa
WILL HOCHMAN (hochman@uscolo.edu)
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 11:09:11 -0700 (MST)
Matthew--both good poets-- I have read Levine for a long time and still
like some of his early work a great deal--if you get a chance to look at
"Clouds" or "Baby Villon" you may know what I mean...also we used some
Kumanyakaa stuff in our recent issue of _War Lit and the Arts_ he was part
of a panel that is recorded in the issue as well--it's a good issue if you
can find it, will
On Thu, 25 Mar 1999 Matthew_Stevenson@baylor.edu wrote:
> I just got back from seeing Philip Levine and Yusef Kumanyakaa give readings
> of their poetry. Kumanyakaa I must admit to never having heard of before, but
> he was great. He has this great voice that's all deep rhythms and Lousiana
> backwater layered with Australia and New Jersey and Vietnam jungle sounds.
>
> Levine was absolutely wonderful. He was warm and funny and powerful--like
> Woody Allen, Kurt Vonnegut and Patrick Henry all rolled into one. (Or Scottie
> if he could ever play nice.) If anyone ever has a chance to see him, take
> advantage. One thing that stuck in my head was: "Every American poet is
> assigned 3 fans. After many years of struggle and turmoil he may earn 3 more,
> at which time he is eligible for the Pulitzer. Which he might win if he can
> get his 6 fans on the panel."
>
> He also made several witty disparaging comments about Waco, which really is as
> depressing and ugly as he said. Although he admitted Fresno isn't much
> better. Nor is Hyde Park, Michigan (he said).
>
> Just sharing a wonderful experience,
>
> Matt Stevenson
>
>