National Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin reads his poems and talks of caring for the Earth
In this edition of The Howard County Poetry and Literature Society's "The Writing Life," W.S. Merwin talks of the environment, his life in Hawaii and the poetry that gently probes the natural world around us. The late poet Roland Flint acts as host, and recalls in this program that W.S. Merwin's first book was chosen for the Yale Younger Poets series by W.H. Auden in 1952. Though honors (a Pulitzer, Bollingen, etc.) have come his way more frequently than riches, shortly before this taping in 1994 Merwin became the first Master American poet to receive a $100,000 Tanning Prize.
To have the freedom to write, Merwin has always lived frugally. Earlier in France, more recently in Hawaii, he alternates between literary pursuits and the work of restoring ruined agricultural land. He gardens less as an owner than the temporary caretaker of a precious resource. Whether planting trees or tending endangered species, concern for the environment permeates all Merwin's writings -- prose, poetry or translation. Merwin sits casually in his blue jeans, and talks of the environment and villanelles. He reads five poems from The Rain in the Trees ("Late Spring," "West Wall" and "The Solstice") and two from his latest volume, Travels, ("Witness" and "Place").
For more information about "The Writing Life" and HoCoPoLitSo (the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society), visit www.hocopolitso.org.
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I loved the dear Poet WS Merwin. His poem "Yesterday" is so meaningful to me, and I try to read it for comfort in times when I miss my own father. Invariably, even now that I turned 80, it makes me remember my dad as I shed some tears when reading it. I think this poem has to be good for sons who would or should have spent more time with their fathers. For me, the discovery is that I loved my father despite everything. Thank you, Mr Merwin. My love to you in memory of my father.
@hocopolitso
3 жыл бұрын
What a lovely reaction to Merwin's work. May all poetry bring us closer to those we love, and the rest of the world.
@FLL999
3 жыл бұрын
@@hocopolitso I appreciate your comment so very much. Thank you.
W.S. Merwin, Thank you. You are one of my favorite human beings. Your poems inspire me.
I adore him beyond compare. Why don't shows like this appear anymore?
@hocopolitso
6 жыл бұрын
He is so wise and benevolent, I agree. His work and his person align so perfectly. And we still record these thoughtful conversations -- perhaps you'd appreciate our shows featuring Stanley Kunitz, or Jane Hirshfield, or Lucille Clifton, all poets who speak honestly and lovingly about our world. Thank you for watching, and for commenting.
Thank you so much for the upload...beautiful to hear him read the Witness and other poems we love...My extreme favourite, however, is Traveling Together which I once recited in group completely mixed up and neverheless it sounded great - he is a genius... (..If we are separated, I will wait for you on your side of things, your side of the wall and the water and of the light moving at its own speed...It is soooo beautifully going on, but do not remember in which book I had found it..)
Can't wait for his two volume "Library of America" set to come out on May 16 2013. It will be a fitting birthday present; I turn 37 that day.
so touching for an excellent video
Hi, We agree. He's one of the most amazing poets - so kind and gentle in person. If you enjoyed this show, try our piece on Jane Hirshfield -- she's great. Thanks for watching, HoCoPoLitSo
Don't know that Mr. Merwin knew it was your birthday, but I'm sure he'd be pleased that it's on your wish list. He is simply an astonishing poet. If you enjoyed this show, try watching the edition of The Writing Life with Jane Hirshfield, who has a take on the natural world that is similar to Merwin's.
I'm a Poet and he Refused to Blurb my Book, despite being the first to sweep all 3 poetry Awards @ my University. Not a generous man.
@Sam-zj6mw
4 жыл бұрын
It’s cos your poems are crap, mate.
@PK-re3lu
3 жыл бұрын
@@Sam-zj6mw Exactly. This 'poet' is spreading his hatefulness across every Merwin vid on YT. I shudder to think what he must be like as a person.
if you devote your life to security you become paranoid-
Charles Bukowski was the greatest poet and short story writer of all time. And anyone who leaves him out of the great modern poets or shirt story writers are either jealous or ignorant. For instance: “Peace” I thought the dove was the bird of peace but here they were shooting them out of the brush and climbing up the sides of mountains and banging them down; and everywhere the doves went there were the hunters blasting and beaming and blasting, and one man who didn’t in the slightest resemble a dove was shot in the shoulder; and there were many complaints that the doves were smaller and scarcer than last year, but the way they fell through the air when you stung the life out of them was the same; and I was there too but I couldn’t shoot anything with a paintbrush; and a couple of them came over to my canvas and stood and stood and stood until I finally said, for God’s sake go look at Picasso and Rembrandt, go look at Klee and Gauguin, listen to a symphony by Mahler, and if you get anything out of that come back and stare at my canvas! what the hell’s wrong with him? the one guy said. he’s nuts. they’re all nuts, the other guy said. anyhow, I got my 10 doves. me too, his buddy said, let’s go home: we can have them in the frying pan by 2:30. -Charles Bukowski
@searcherbrowser2969
2 жыл бұрын
Bukowski is one of the most highly overrated writers of all time.
He doesn't really listen. He's too busy hearing his own voice echo through his vacuous soul.
Dude planting on his property to improve value, Not to Help the Hawaiian People.
@hocopolitso
5 жыл бұрын
Interesting perspective. Thanks for watching. We're mostly concerned with his poetry, but you're right, sometimes poetry can infiltrate one's life and choices.
@Sam-zj6mw
4 жыл бұрын
Nonsense.
@PK-re3lu
3 жыл бұрын
Calling Merwin a dude says it all lol... Infantilism and hate combined. Great!