Kinsolvings on poetry
-
- June
- 15
The poetry of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman will be dramatically joined later this month in a most interesting reading — or should I say poetic performance? — hosted by the Butterfield Library on June 28.
It is billed as “An Afternoon with Emily and Walt.” But the fascinating twist is the readers — poet Susan Kinsolving, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry, and her husband William Kinsolving, a best-selling novelist who has also written more than 50 screenplays. His most recent book is “Mr. Christian,” but earlier works include, “The Raven” and “The Diplomat’s Daughter.”
Butterfield Library is highlighting its combination of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman saying there were contemporaries who wrote about similar themes, death, religion and nature. Students of comparative literature have taken on the topic many times, but I think the choice of a poet and a novelist, each with strong writing personalities of their own, will complete the reading and make it fresh and full of life. Susan Kinsolving founded poetry reading series at the California Institute of the Arts, The New York Public Library and The American Poets Maze.
” Whitman’s style of free verse become synonymous with his name and works, and helped distinguish him as a great American poet. Dickinson’s works are just as unique, due mainly to her odd placement of punctuation, unusual grammar, and simplicity of language,” says the library in promoting the event. “Both Whitman and Dickinson write of common and everyday objects and people, while addressing the larger issues of life within that context. While their views may differ, there is a sense of commonality when reading their works side by side. Both poets are acclaimed American writers, offering up distinct voices and beliefs that echo still today.”
Partial funding for this event is provided by the Putnam Arts Fund which is supported by public funds from Putnam County and is administered by the Putnam Arts Council.
It is at 4 pm and refreshments will be served. To reserve a place, call the library at 845-265-3040 or go to its Web site . The Library is at 10 Morris Ave. in Cold Spring near the intersection of 9D & Route 301.
(Photo of Emily Dicksonson from Amherst College Library and Poets.org. Photo of Walt Whitman from the Walt Whitman Archive.)
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm by Barbara Nackman.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
| 
