Back in 2002 I was looking for some poetry to feature on the program to mark National Poetry Month. I had just seen that three of the poet Galway Kinnell's books had recently been reissued in one volume as "Three Books: Body Rags; Mortal Acts, Mortal Words; and The Past" so I contacted his publicist to inquire about an interview.
My request was granted and I called him at his home in Vermont to conduct a live interview during the Book Nook section of the Excursions music program I was hosting. At the time I recorded this installment I had no clue that Kinnell was a poet who was held in such high regard. A number of years later after he died I perused his obituary in the New York Times and finally realized that he really had been somebody. He was famous!
That's all probably for the better although I don't usually feel nervous when I interview someone who is well known. I did not know about Kinnell and for me ignorance truly was bliss. We had a lovely chat that day back in April of 2002. He had some great stories to tell and he read some of his poems.
The Book Nook on WYSO is presented by the Greene County Public Library with additional support from Washington-Centerville Public Library, Clark County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, Wright Memorial Public Library, and Microsun Lamps.
