Poet Robert Bly Reads at PSU

Acclaimed poet Robert Bly visited Plymouth State University on Sunday, March 7, for a reading of his poetry and a book signing. The reading was the third event of the Eagle Pond Authors’ Series. The event, which was originally to be held in the Silver Cultural Arts Center, was moved to the HUB’s multi-purpose room to accommodate more spectators.Bly read a number of poems including selections from his latest book, The Night Abraham Called to the Stars. He is the author of more than thirty books of poetry and nonfiction and has also translated the work of poets Pablo Neruda and Ranier Maria Rilke. Some of Bly’s poetry books include Eating the Honey of Words and Meditations on the Insatiable Soul. His nonfiction includes the highly-praised, though controversial, Iron John.Bly was introduced by his friend and colleague of more than 55 years, Donald Hall. Hall himself has written more than fifteen books of poetry and served as the Poet Laureate of New Hampshire from 1984 to 1989. According to Hall, the two men have exchanged more than 20,000 letters and faxes since they met in 1948 at Harvard University. Hall said that Bly has used German Expressionist and Spanish language poetry, as well as Muslim poetry and other influences that became apparent throughout the reading- to show Americans a new way to view poetry.Bly remarked that, “This is called poetry but I don’t know exactly what it is.” He elaborated by admitting that the “fact that it’s written down might be a mistake.” Judging from the audience’s reaction to the reading, many may take issue with Bly’s modesty.The first poem Bly read was from The Kabir Book, a group of poems by an Indian poet that Bly has translated. He started with another poet’s work because he believes a poet should always begin by acknowledging a better poet than himself.Other poems Bly read included “Eel in the Cave,” “Forgiving the Mailman,” which is about poets, “Visiting the Teacher,” and “Let Sympathy Pass.” The latter is a new anti-war poem provoked by the ongoing conflict in Iraq and whose title was inspired by a line from Walt Whitman. A recurring theme throughout the reading was Bly’s interest in diverse styles of poetry, especially a certain style of Muslim poetry. Almost all of the poems he read followed this style which utilizes six stanzas with each stanza concerning a new subject. The stanzas, although diverse in subject, then work together to make an overall poetic statement.Bly’s enthusiasm for his work was evident in his manner of reading. His gregarious personality and his use of humor kept the mood light but focused even as he read poems with deep subject matter. The voice of Bly was firm, slightly nasal, and at times delightfully grizzly. He often interjected upon himself by saying things like “I don’t know what that’s about” and regularly inserted commentary about his poems or the particular line being read. At times he asked: “Got it?” or “Am I saying anything to you,” to draw in the audience to make sure they are hearing his message. It is as if he was aiding in the interpretation of his poetry while he read; he seemed more of a poet facilitating his work for the work’s sake than a poet simply reciting his poems. Bly also frequently repeated lines of poetry or even whole poems in order to make them clear.Unless it is experienced, this may seem like an annoying, interruptive manner to read poetry. But Bly pulled it off well and the audience even encouraged the repetition of some poems. Bly gave the visual impression of being very writerly. He has disheveled white, wiry hair and wore a purple jacket with an unconventional cravat. The best description of his appearance would be that he looks like Mark Twain without the bushy moustache.Robert Bly lives on a farm in Madison, Minnesota with his wife. They have three children.