Passwords Primeval: 20 American Poets in their Own Words

(Paperback)

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Description

Passwords Primeval sets aside the artificial boundaries of poetry "schools" and "movements" to cut to the art of the matter. Tony Leuzzi's astounding knowledge of poetry draws new insights from such luminaries as Billy Collins, Gerald Stern, Jane Hirshfield, Patricia Smith, and Martn Espada. These new interviews provide insights into the poets and their poems without compromising any of their mystery. Whether you're looking for deeper understanding of your favorite poets or are simply interested in the lives of contemporary artists, Passwords Primeval reveals the interconnectedness of these masters whose voices echo each other from opposite ends of the same canyon.

A Best Book for Writers by Poets and Writers Magazine

Reviews

"Poet and professor, Leuzzi brings questing intelligence and a practitioner's empathy to this collection of interviews with 20 poets who are diverse in terms of aesthetic allegiance, generation, and practice... The range of topics proves that poetry isn't just for poets. This book will be a joy for anyone who loves the art of conversation, not just the conversation of art." -- Publishers Weekly *Starred* Review "Leuzzi, while touching on discussions of tone and image and revision (which are common enough), takes advantage of opportunities for the poets to reveal unusual elements or expand to enlightening discussions on others' works, or to speak on the influence that being married to a neuroscientist can have, or the surprising places one can go and find solace." -- David Bloomenberg, Sycamore Review

Author Bio

Tony Leuzzi has written three books of poetry, including Radiant Losses, which won the 2010 New Sins Editors' Prize. In preparation for Passwords Primeval: 20 American Poets in Their Own Words, Leuzzi interviewed 25 American poets across a five-year span. Many of the interviews were initially published in such journals as Arts & Letters, Jacket, Sentence, American Literary Review, Kenyon Review (online), National Poetry Review, Left Curve, Great River Review, EOAGH, and The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review.