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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edward Hirsch
Edward Hirsch was born in Chicago in 1950 and educated at Grinnell College
and the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Ph.D. in folklore. He is the author of six...More >
FURTHER READING
Poets in Conversation
A Brisk Walk: Billy Collins in Conversationby Joel Whitney
A Singing Kind of Seeing: Heather McHugh and Christine Hume in Conversationby Heather McHugh
Common Language: Robert Hass in Conversationby Robert Hass
Imagining the Unimaginable: Jorie Graham in Coversationby Jorie Graham
In Intervals: Robert Pinsky and Tom Sleigh in Conversationby Robert Pinsky
Of Poetry and Medicine: Rafael Campo in Conversationby Rafael Campo
Poet at the Dance: Rita Dove in Conversationby Rita Dove
The Line Between Two Worlds: Tracy K. Smith and Elizabeth Alexander in Conversationby Tracy K. Smith
The Totality of Causes: Li-Young Lee and Tina Chang in Conversationby Tina Chang
The World Anew: Mary Jo Bang and Jennifer K. Dick in Conversationby Jennifer K. Dick
Transcript: Tony Hoagland in Conversationby Tony Hoagland
Phil Levine on poetry, learning, his mother and his book of poems, The Mercy I was very lucky to have a mother who encouraged me to become a poet. ... But she loved poetry, fiction, music; that a son of hers would devote himself to this art thrilled her. Only the final poem in the book was written after her death, which was in the spring of last year just after she turned ninety-four. I did not see her death coming. The last time I spoke with her she sounded very snappy and was looking forward to my new book. I hope the book contains some of her zest for life, some of her belief in the power of beauty, some of her great humor. As a teacher you too must have known many young people who wanted to pursue poetry but were discouraged by their families. I'm one lucky guy to have had Esther Levine for my mother.