I had the honor of discussing poetry with William Merwin a number of years ago. I found him very thoughtful and generous. We discussed his life in Hawaii and the poetry of Benjamin Saltman whose collection of poems titled, The Book of Moss, he found to be the work of a true poet. He wrote the blurb for the recent re-edition of the book currently for sale. Ben Saltman was my mentor and friend. Once while Merwin was reading his poem, "The Black Jewel," celebrating the cricket, a cricket began chirping in the room. This was at UCLA. Somebody present said, "Only at a Merwin reading." I consider him a friend. I have supported his conservancy in Hawaii.
Thank you so much for this. This is such an intimate moment. He seems to have let go some of his gravitas in his old age. W.S. Merwin is my hero. He reminds me of my grandmother here. Does he have some dementia or Alzheimers now? He is still carrying on beautifully. Like he said in his comment, he keeps pulling out the energy, not knowing where from.
this is great
I had the honor of discussing poetry with William Merwin a number of years ago. I found him very thoughtful and generous. We discussed his life in Hawaii and the poetry of Benjamin Saltman whose collection of poems titled, The Book of Moss, he found to be the work of a true poet. He wrote the blurb for the recent re-edition of the book currently for sale. Ben Saltman was my mentor and friend. Once while Merwin was reading his poem, "The Black Jewel," celebrating the cricket, a cricket began chirping in the room. This was at UCLA. Somebody present said, "Only at a Merwin reading." I consider him a friend. I have supported his conservancy in Hawaii.
Thank you so much for this. This is such an intimate moment. He seems to have let go some of his gravitas in his old age. W.S. Merwin is my hero. He reminds me of my grandmother here. Does he have some dementia or Alzheimers now? He is still carrying on beautifully. Like he said in his comment, he keeps pulling out the energy, not knowing where from.
Can't understand why this dude refused to blurb my friend's poetry book, who happens to be an award-winning Hawaiian writer. Real Haole Style.