The Lawrence Public Library interviews Ks. Poet Laureate Eric McHenry

Adam Hummell interviews the current Kansas Poet Laureate for the Lawrence Public Library, in anticipation of his reading. Thanks to Eric for the kind mention of Kanas poets, including former poets laureate (Jonathan Holden, Denise Low, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Wyatt Townley) and Kansas-connected poets Gwendolyn Brooks, William Stafford, and Albert Goldbarth. Thanks to Hummell for the insightful interview plus links. The interview begins:

“Language lovers of all ages are in for a treat this Thursday [Aug. 27, 2015] night: Eric McHenry, the current Kansas Poet Laureate, will be speaking at a special free event in the library auditorium at 7:00 pm. Along with being the author of the award-winning poetry collection, Potscrubber Lullabies, and the gleeful and heartwarming children’s picture book, Mommy, Daddy, Evan, Sage, McHenry is also Professor of Creative Writing at Washburn University, where I had the privilege of having him as both an adviser and instructor. I quickly found him to be one of the warmest, most intelligent people I’ve ever met. As a poet he is insightful, erudite, and playful; as an advisor and educator he was always approachable and encouraging, consistently brilliant, witty, and always engaging. . . “

For the full interview:

http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/2015/08/getting-versed-in-kansas-poetry-five-questions-with-eric-mchenry-kansas-poet-laureate/

Kenneth Irby Dies, July 30, 2015

Kenneth Lee Irby 1936-2015. Photo by Denise Low

I have been having so many memories of Ken this week. I first read his work in 1978, To Max Douglas, and it made me cry. I met him in the 80s when he moved back to Lawrence, and through the years he has been a poet impossible to ignore. How blessed I've been the last years to meet with him weekly at our poetini group--Pachamama's had $5 martini specials Thursday nights. Last summer, he and I were the only ones to show up several times, and what grand conversations we had. Yes, he drove me crazy some of the time, but then there was that unexpected sweetness within the tart, thick rind. Most of these are my photos. I don't mind if people use them, but please attribute them to me. The 1997 photo taken the old fashioned way is Ken at Lee Chapman's house. She and Monica (Now Nico) Peck were present. I cropped this photo for a 2007 online publication, the Ad Astra project.

Stan Lombardo, Ken Irby, unknown, Judy Roitman, photo by Denise Low

Ken, photo by Denise Low 1997

Ken, Denise Low, Wm. J. Harris, 2.14.14, photo by Tracy Rasmussen

Ken Irby, 2011 photo by Denise Low




 



Ken Irby, 2011, Photo Denise Low