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Joanna Rakoff's avatar

This is my favorite Beyond interview in ages. James Wright changed my life as a college student, but I rarely hear his work mentioned anymore, and it made my day to read the opening lines of The Branch Will Not Break. My copy of that book, as well as Wright's collected poems, is also crumbling from overuse, now from my older kids readings, as well, and I hope that fifteen, twenty years from now John will perhaps be saying the same thing...

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I agree! John's answers are particularly beautiful. I somehow have not heard of James Wright but I shall order his books now!! So happy you enjoyed this one, Joanna!

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Mary P.'s avatar

What tenderness in John’s responses to the interview questions ❤️. My heart was touched by so much of what John said. John also has now “introduced” me not only to his own poetry, but that of other poets, too. Thank you for all of this, Jane and John.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you felt that way, Mary! I did, too!! ❤️

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Sinda's avatar
Sep 8Edited

Loved this interview! Because I grew up near Ypsilanti, I read it eagerly. And now I feel a need to get my book of James Wright poems back off the shelf, and put "The Branch Will Not Break" on my to read list, and sit down to record the Marge Piercy (another Michigander) poem. Thank you! And, Blueberries for Sal is one of my most beloved books. At 66, I still have a copy on my shelf.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Oh my gosh, Sinda, I love this!! It's like the interview was made for you. So happy you enjoyed it! Where did you grow up? John is my neighbor, so I also live in Ypsi!

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Wendi A. Hill, PhD's avatar

What a lovely interview. John's answers are not only beautiful, they are real. I particularly loved his quoting of Marge Piercy's poem, To Be of Use. I hadn't heard of her or read her poem before reading it here. I looked it up in its entirety and found it deeply moving.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Wendi! I was also so moved my John's answers! Oh, I'm going to google that poem now!

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Sandra Murzin's avatar

Also loved the Franz Wright quote...so cool.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Yes!

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Sandra Murzin's avatar

Such a beautiful interview with John... Jane,I loved this.His gardening love,pulling weeds...I can relate: its a very Zen thing for me.His story about finding Sabriel (great name) and also Birdie just warmed my heart...I instantly fell in love with Sabriel when I saw her sweet face! Thank You both for this lovely, interesting interview...💜

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

It is so Zen! And I knooooow, such sweet kitties! And I know how you love cats, Sandra! Glad you enjoyed the interview! ❤️

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Asha Sanaker's avatar

Oh, I love this so much! Good luck with those early baby days, John. I hope they are more blessing than exhausted fugue, but if they are the latter you won't be the first ones. We all stumble through as joyfully as we can and more successfully than not.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Asha! I loved this one so much, as well. John's earnestness and tenderness when right to my heart!

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