Eleni Sikelianos Reading
Eleni Sikelianos reads a selection of prose and poetry from her two most recently-published books, The Book of Jon and The California Poem. Sikelianos fields questions from the audience. She says that place influences poetry, because language responds to landscape, comparing the aesthetics of Californian and New York poetry. Sikelianos shares how her travels have change the way she thinks about landscape. She confirms an audience member’s suggestion that The California Poem enacts some of the same poetic strategies as William Carlos Williams’ long poem, "Paterson," as well as Brenda Coultas’ A Handmade Museum. Sikelianos describes her research and writing process for The California Poem. She also shares how she came to write The Book of Jon, a memoir about her father, after his death.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Poetry
Authors: Eleni Sikelianos
Date Recorded: March 02, 2005
Works Read: Eleni Sikelianos reads the following from The Book of Jon: "Date Unknown;" "The Trip;" "Who Is Asking, Who is Interviewing;" "The Land;" "Myth, Truth;" "State Unknown;" "What I Left Out." She reads excerpts of the The California Poem.
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: reading
Contributors: Julie Englander hosts the reading and introduces the author.
Topics: New York School; Walt Whitman; memoir; poetry writing