I was apprehensive. I feared every time I talked about poetry, it would be filtered through the lens of race, sex, and age.
From Rita Dove
For years, I had heard about the lack of interest in literature in the U.S. and I had complained about it. I failed to understand how people could fail to be moved by art.
Being Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is a more public utterance I can make as a poet.
For many years, I thought a poem was a whisper overheard, not an aria heard.
Rap is only one end of a whole spectrum of verbal play and virtuosity. Rap is geared for aural pleasure.
I have a high guilt quotient. A poem can go through as many as 50 or 60 drafts. It can take from a day to two years-or longer.
I carry a notebook with me everywhere. But that's only the first step.
I keep the drafts of each poem in color-coded folders. I pick up the folders according to how I feel about that color that day.
I write short stories, and I wrote a play.
I see a resurgence of interest in poetry. I am less optimistic about the prospects for the arts when it comes to federal funding.
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