Christopher Merrill Reading
The author reads excerpts of Only the Nails Remain, a nonfiction book about his work and travels in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and his involvement with the literary demimonde of that region. He reads a selection of poems from the collection Brilliant Water, and then takes questions from the audience. He answers questions about his experience and process of writing in the midst of war, the role of the natural world in his poetry, and provides insight into the politic aspects of poetry writing in the Balkans.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Nonfiction | Poetry
Authors: Christopher Merrill
Date Recorded: April 26, 2004
Works Read: The author reads an untitled poem by Aleš Debeljak that begins "Your story is simple." The author reads from Only the Nails Remain. He reads the following poems from his collection, Brilliant Water: "The Fence;" "Reckonings;" "Sagebrush;" "Sestina on Six Words by Vicente Huidobro;" and "Should, Should Not."
Program: --
Format: reading
Contributors: Julie Englander and James Galvin
Topics: Balkan War; poetry writing; war reporting
Note: Interruption at 45 minutes, transfer from tape side A to side B.