Terrence Hayes' Practice of Writing

Terrence Hayes, an award-winning poet, discusses his unique practice of writing, which involves maintaining a routine while incorporating occasional disruptions. During the earliest protests after the death of George Floyd, Hayes was writing at his desk and witnessed the growing crowds through his window. He left to join the protest but returned to his desk to resume his practice. Out of this experience, he wrote a poem about George Floyd that reflects the refracting and intertwining reflections of a mirror. Hayes emphasizes that his writing process encompasses a range of emotions, including fun, grief, ecstasy, anguish, and anxiety.