VS VS Live! at Poetry Foundation: Cornelius Eady and Major Jackson vs. Legacy
Oct 14, 2025
Join acclaimed poets Major Jackson and Cornelius Eady as they delve into the capacity to feel and the legacies that shape their work. Jackson reflects on the inspirations that currently move him, while Eady discusses the importance of community in sustaining artists. They explore how fear fuels authenticity in poetry and share insights on writing about others with care. The conversation weaves through their personal histories and influences, creating a rich tapestry of poetic experience and reflection.
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Art's Power To Transcend Boundaries
- Major Jackson is moved by artists' capacity to feel across constructed boundaries and keep resilience alive through work.
- He frames poetry as practice that should push writers beyond ego into experiments of language and thought.
Poetry As Communal Care
- Cornelius Eady worries about how communities will care for one another amid rising bitterness and cruelty.
- He sees poetry as a communal tool to help people connect and survive social storms.
Lean Into Fearful Uncertainty
- Major Jackson embraces the fear of not knowing where a poem will go and uses that uncertainty to grow.
- He advises valuing the crack-open moments where writing leads you into suppressed memory and emotion.
