Michael talks with David Kirby about his parents, the impact of early rock n roll on him, the course of his life in poetry, his new collection, the use of information in his poetry, the length and form of his poems, processes of drafting and revision, the difference between poem and essay, the use of humor in his work, and more.
David Kirby's collection The House on Boulevard St.: New and Selected Poems was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2007. Kirby is the author of Little Richard: The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which the Times Literary Supplement of London called “a hymn of praise to the emancipatory power of nonsense.” His latest poetry collection is Help Me, Information. He teaches English at Florida State University.
Podcast theme: DJ Garlik & Bertholet's "Special Sause" used with permission form Bertholet.