SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL

Sparks from the Anvil: The Smith College Poetry Interviews is a collection of discussions with contemporary poets, ranging from established elders like W.S. Merwin and Maxine Kumin to dazzling newcomers like Aracelis Girmay and the Dickman brothers, Matthew and Michael. In conversation with Christian McEwen, they describe their habitual writing practice, influences, and development, as well as their sense of the American poetry scene, and whatever else comes up in the course of a long, thoughtful, richly meandering exchange.

The sixteen interviewed poets are:

Annie Boutelle

Matthew Dickman

Michael Dickman

Patrick Donnelly

Rita Dove

Nikky Finney

Aracelis Girmay

Edward Hirsch

Jane Hirshfield

Yusef Komunyakaa

Maxine Kumin

Gwyneth Lewis

W.S. Merwin

Patricia Smith

Chase Twichell

Jean Valentine