Geoffrey Hill: Intense
My internet connection in Paris has proven somewhat erratic, and right now I only have time to repeat a 15-year-old anecdote I heard at the American University of Paris’ Center for Writers and Translators.
I can’t promise it is true, but it certainly has the ring of authenticity.
After Geoffrey Hill gave a reading at Boston University, the usual Q&A followed.
Then, the question all poets detest – asked, perhaps by a journalist? “Where does your poetic inspiration come from?”
Only the question wasn’t that short. Hill, apparently, became more and more intense as the question grew longer and longer and more flowery. “Verbal adumbrations!” he kept insisting. “Verbal adumbrations.”
Said the professor relaying the anecdote: “That phrase has stuck in my mind for 15 years.”
Now it’s sticking in mine.
More from Paris later.
Tags: Geoffrey Hill
February 7th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Cynthia, Sounds like you are within walking distance of Le Bon Marche whose ground floor don’t forget is one huge delicatessen – pain et fromage like you wouldn’t believe! Thought I’d better remind you of the place since you’ve mentioned food a couple of times in connection with your trip.
February 8th, 2012 at 3:29 am
I wish I wish I wish I had time … it’s running out fast on my whirlwind trip!