Words On A Wire

Daniel & Ben talk with author Gabe Gomez, whose latest poetry collection is entitled "The Seed Bank."  Gomez talks about winning the Andres Montoya Poetry Prize for his first book, and how it coincided with his displacement from New Orleans after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.  Gomez also talks about the differences between his first collection and his latest, "The Seed Bank." In this online-only extended interview, Gomez talks about the poetry he wrote that was inspired by Katrina, and how the poems liberated him from his previously-held beliefs about poetry. www.gabegomez.com

For this week's Poem of the Week, Gabe Gomez reads "Clovis Culture" from his newest collection of poetry, "The Seed Bank."

Aired Jan. 6, 2013.

Daniel interviews his co-host, Benjamin Alire Saenz, whose latest collection of stories is entitled "Everything Begins & Ends at the Kentucky Club."  Ben talks about how he came to write these stories, and why the Kentucky Club, a famous bar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, plays a part in each story.  He also talks about some of the stories in the collection and why they often touch upon the subject of addiction.  Ben closes out the interview by reading an excerpt from one of the stories in the collection, "The Hurting Game."

For this week's Poem of the Week, Daniel reads "The Joy of Writing" by Wislawa Szymborska.

Aired Dec. 30, 2012.

Daniel interviews his co-host, Benjamin Alire Saenz, whose latest collection of stories is entitled "Everything Begins & Ends at the Kentucky Club."  Ben talks about how he came to write these stories, and why the Kentucky Club, a famous bar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, plays a part in each story. 

In this exclusive online extended interview, Ben talks a little more about the Kentucky Club and Juarez, and how they were central to the border culture prior to the recent drug wars in Mexico.

He also talks about some of the stories in the collection and why they often touch upon the subject of addiction.  Ben closes out the interview by reading an excerpt from one of the stories in the collection, "The Hurting Game."

Aired Dec. 30, 2012.

Daniel & Ben present a special holiday program with their personal reflections on Christmases past. 

Ben remembers a Christmas when he was 6 years old and his family had slaughtered a hog for the holiday meal.   He recalls identifying more with the warmth emanating from the women in the kitchen than with the rowdiness of the men in the barn. 

Daniel recalls a Christmas Eve when he was 6 years old.  He saw the image of a horrifying man in his backyard while looking out his bedroom window.  Discovering who that man really was resulted in some inner reflections by Daniel the Boy and Daniel the Man.

Daniel & Ben will also read the poem “Journey of the Magi” by TS Eliot.  Aired Dec. 23, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk with Paisley Rekdal, author of “Animal Eye” and “Intimate: An American Family Photo Album.”  Rekdal talks about the conceptual elements evident in her book “Intimate,” which she describes as a “braided memoir,” or photo album of shorts, which interweaves literary, poetic, and memoir fragments.  She also talks about 2 of the characters featured in the book - photographer Edward Curtis, who earned fame for his photos of Native Americans; and Curtis’ Crow Indian guide, Alexander Upshaw.

Paisley Rekdal  reads one of her own poems for today’s Poem of the Week – “Why Some Girls Love Horses.”

And in this week’s Poetic License, Benjamin Alire Saenz reflects on aging.

Aired Dec. 16, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk with Paisley Rekdal, author of “Animal Eye” and “Intimate: An American Family Photo Album.”  Rekdal talks about the conceptual elements evident in her book “Intimate,” which she describes as a “braided memoir,” or photo album of shorts, which interweaves literary, poetic, and memoir fragments.  She also talks about 2 of the characters featured in the book - photographer Edward Curtis, who earned fame for his photos of Native Americans; and Curtis’ Crow Indian guide, Alexander Upshaw.  The online exclusive interview contains an expanded conversation about Curtis and Upshaw.

Paisley Rekdal  reads one of her own poems for today’s Poem of the Week – “Why Some Girls Love Horses.”

Aired Dec. 16, 2012.

Daniel & Ben are joined by Daniel's floppy-eared, salt-and-pepper companion, Kafka, for an interview with activist and author, Rita Mae Brown.  Brown is a poet, novelist, and co-author of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series of books with her feline companion, Sneaky Pie Brown.  Rita Mae Brown talks about the latest entry into that series, "Sneaky Pie Runs for President."  The conversation is as much about books as it is about animals.

The Poem of the Week is "Pointing to the Place of the Pain," from Karen Fiser's collection "Words Like Fate & Pain."  Read by Benjamin Alire Saenz.

In today's Poetic License, Daniel Chacon reflects on why his life is reflected in the dogs with whom he has shared his life, and about his current companion, Kafka.

Aired Dec. 9, 2012.

Daniel & Ben are joined by Daniel's floppy-eared, salt-and-pepper companion, Kafka, for an interview with activist and author, Rita Mae Brown.  Brown is a poet, novelist, and co-author of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series of books with her feline companion, Sneaky Pie Brown.  Rita Mae Brown talks about the latest entry into that series, "Sneaky Pie Runs for President."  The conversation is as much about books as it is about animals.  In this online extended interview, Brown also talks about why the latest Sneaky Pie book isn’t so much a response to the recent election as it is a condemnation of humans destroying the environment.  Aired Dec. 9, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk to poet Kim Addonizio, author of “Lucifer at the Starlite.”  She talks about her love of teaching poetry, and why she deliberately chose not to pursue an academic career at a university.  Addonizio also talks about the instructional poetry book she co-wrote with Dorianne Laux, “A Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry,” and her own instruction guide, “Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within.” www.kimaddonizio.com

Kim Addonizio reads this week’s Poem of the Week, “Another Day on Earth” from “Lucifer at the Starlight.”  The poem was written after the tragic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

This week’s Poetic License comes from Blake Nemec, a 3rd year MFA candidate at the University of Texas at El Paso, Creative Writing Department.  His Poetic License is entitled “How the Cyprus Trees Stand on the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez Border.”

Aired Dec. 2, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk to poet Kim Addonizio, author of “Lucifer at the Starlite.”  She talks about her love of teaching poetry, and why she deliberately chose not to pursue an academic career at a university.  Addonizio also talks about the instructional poetry book she co-wrote with Dorianne Laux, “A Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry,” and her own instruction guide, “Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within.”

In this online-only extended interview, Addonizio also talks about her late entry into the world of poetry, and why it can be difficult to overcome her image as an “edgy” poet and her poems as “drinking” poems.

Kim Addonizio reads this week’s Poem of the Week, “Another Day on Earth” from “Lucifer at the Starlight.”  The poem was written after the tragic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

www.kimaddonizio.com

Aired Dec. 2, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk with writer Daniel Grandbois and his wife, literary agent Irene Vilar.  Grandbois talks about working outside of any genre category, and why his work is inspired by both children's literature and scientific papers.  Grandbois and Vilar also talk about the "Unlucky Lucky" series of books, the latest of which is called "Unlucky Lucky Tales."

This week's Poem of the Week was written and read by Abigail Carl, "Walking in Colonia Rubio," which reflects upon her time living among a Mennonite community in Seminole, Texas.

And in this week's Poetic License, Benjamin Alire Saenz reflects on the choices we make, and how they are more limited than may imagine.

Aired Nov. 25, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk with writer Daniel Grandbois and his wife, literary agent Irene Vilar.  Grandbois talks about working outside of any genre category, and why his work is inspired by both children's literature and scientific papers.  Grandbois and Vilar also talk about the "Unlucky Lucky" series of books, the latest of which is called "Unlucky Lucky Tales."  In this online-only extended interview, Vilar talks about her book series “The Americas” and how it ties in to Grandbois’ “Unlucky Lucky” books.  The husband & wife team also talk about whether they will ever collaborate on any future works.  Aired Nov. 25, 2012.

Ben & Daniel talk with writer, educator, and musician Ruben Martinez, whose latest work, “Desert America: Boom & Bust in the New Old West,” explores the land & the people of the West, and the extremes of poverty & wealth found in many desert communities.  Martinez talks about how the book was born out of a desperate time in his life.  On the insistence of a trusted friend, he was drawn to Joshua Tree, California, where he discovered that the desert was not immune to the harsh realities he faced in the big city.  He also talks about the 2 other desert communities he explores in his book – the desert of Northern New Mexico, and the desert in the west Texas town of Marfa.  Martinez also shares a little U2 trivia about how the band named their legendary 1987 album “The Joshua Tree.”

Ruben Martinez also reads this week’s Poem of the Week: “Papaya” by Juan Felipe Herrera. 

Aired Nov. 18, 2012.

Ben & Daniel talk with writer, educator, and musician Ruben Martinez, whose latest work, “Desert America: Boom & Bust in the New Old West,” explores the land & the people of the West, and the extremes of poverty & wealth found in many desert communities.  Martinez talks about how the book was born out of a desperate time in his life.  On the insistence of a trusted friend, he was drawn to Joshua Tree, California, where he discovered that the desert was not immune to the harsh realities he faced in the big city.  He also talks about the 2 other desert communities he explores in his book – the desert of Northern New Mexico, and the desert in the west Texas town of Marfa.  Martinez also shares a little U2 trivia about how the band named their legendary 1987 album “The Joshua Tree.” 

The extended portion of this interview features a conversation about the English poet D.H. Lawrence and the time he spent in New Mexico.  Martinez reflects on why outside writers who move to artistic desert communities such as Santa Fe & Marfa often bring their own prejudices with them, despite the fact that they may be more liberal-minded than most other visitors or residents. http://rubenmartinez.la

Aired Nov. 18, 2012.

Ben & Daniel talk with former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Mark Strand.  Strand talks about why he grew weary of writing poetry, a process which he considers difficult.  He also talks about the challenges of overcoming the fame of his 2 most famous works, “Eating Poetry” and “Keeping Things Whole.”  Strand also reflects on why computers have changed the face and sound of poetry.

For this week’s Poem of the Week, Mark Strand reads “The Poem of the Spanish Poet” from his latest collection of prose poetry, “Almost Invisible.”

Daniel Chacon contributes this week’s Poetic License, reflecting on JS Bach and hobos.

Plus, Ben & Daniel give their thoughts on the merger between Random House & Penguin publishing houses.

Aired Nov. 11, 2012.

An online exclusive extended interview with former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Mark Strand.  Strand talks about why he grew weary of writing poetry, a process which he considers difficult.  He also talks about the challenges of overcoming the fame of his 2 most famous works, “Eating Poetry” and “Keeping Things Whole.”  Strand also reflects on why computers have changed the face and sound of poetry, and why the search for nothing, a common theme in “Almost Invisible,” eventually becomes about something.For this week’s Poem of the Week, Mark Strand reads “The Poem of the Spanish Poet” from his latest collection of prose poetry, “Almost Invisible.”

Aired Nov. 11, 2012.

Daniel & Ben talk with poet Sharon Bryan, author of the collection “Sharp Stars.”  Bryan talks about why she tends to write in long, traversing sentences, and why she feels the importance of white space on the page is just as important as the words that fill it.

Bryan also reads this week’s Poem of the Week: “Body and Soul” from the collection “Sharp Stars.”

In this week’s Poetic License, Benjamin Saenz explains why he is feeling grateful.  Aired Nov. 4, 2012.

An online-exclusive extended interview with poet Sharon Bryan, author of the collection “Sharp Stars.”  Bryan talks about why she tends to write in long, traversing sentences, and why she feels the importance of white space on the page is just as important as the words that fill it.  She also talks about her beginnings as a writer, and how she copes as a writer from the West living on the East Coast.

Bryan also reads this week’s Poem of the Week: “Body and Soul” from the collection “Sharp Stars.

Aired Nov. 4, 2012.

Carmen Giménez Smith is a writer, poet, and professor of Creative Writing at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces NM. She talks about how her writing style is conducive to her busy life as a professional and a mother of two. She also talks about how she blends her careers as a writer and teacher, and why she sometimes has to teach what she personally doesn’t like because it presents a teachable moment. 

From Sept. 23, 2012, Daniel talks with former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. The New York Times calls him "the most popular poet in America." Collins talks about his obsession with mortality, and about seeing his poetry come to life through animation. And in this online exclusive, Collins also talks about the projects he accomplished while serving as US Poet Laureate, and about being born in the same hospital where American poet William Carlos Williams practiced medicine. Poet Billy Collins contributes this week's Poem of the Week, reading "Revision" from his latest collection "Horoscopes for the Dead."

From Sept. 23, 2012, Daniel talks with former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. The New York Times calls him "the most popular poet in America." Collins talks about his obsession with mortality, and about seeing his poetry come to life through animation. Poet Billy Collins contributes this week's Poem of the Week, reading "Revision" from his latest collection "Horoscopes for the Dead."

From Sept. 30, 2012, an expanded interview with Chinese-American poet, Arthur Sze, author of "The Redshifting Web," "The Ginkgo Light," and other books. Sze talks about arrival to Santa Fe, New Mexico, 40 years ago and how it continues to influence his work. He also discusses why the label of “Asian-American poet” hinders or helps his work. Sze also talks about the intentional relaxed-pace rhythm of his poetry, and how his work has changed over the years. Sze also discusses how quantum physics inspires his work, and his favorite poets.  Arthur Sze reads this week’s Poem of the Week – “Crisscross” from the collection “The Ginkgo Light.”

Daniel & Ben talk with Chinese-American poet, Arthur Sze, author of "The Redshifting Web," "The Ginkgo Light," and other books (aired Sept. 30, 2012). Sze talks about arrival to Santa Fe, New Mexico, 40 years ago and how it continues to influence his work. He also discusses why the label of “Asian-American poet” hinders or helps his work. Sze also talks about the intentional relaxed-pace rhythm of his poetry, and how his work has changed over the years. Arthur Sze reads this week’s Poem of the Week – “Crisscross” from the collection “The Ginkgo Light.”

From Oct. 7, 2012, an online exclusive expanded interview with local writer Richard Yañez, author of "Cross Over Water." Yañez talks about his life as a "migrant academic worker" and how he ended up back home in El Paso after moving 8 times in 5 years. He also talks about his book "Cross Over Water," and how the main character of the book experiences life on the border as did Yañez and other native El Pasoans, including negotiating life around a desert, a waterless river, a mountain in the middle of the city, and crossing the border to Ciudad Juarez to drink & party. In the extended interview, Yañez also talks about what inspires his writing process, and why writing is always a risk.

Ben & Daniel talk with local writer Richard Yaṅez, author of "Cross Over Water" (aired Oct. 7, 2012). Yaṅez talks about his life as a "migrant academic worker" and how he ended up back home in El Paso after moving 8 times in 5 years. He also talks about his book "Cross Over Water," and how the main character of the book experiences life on the border as did Yaṅez and other native El Pasoans, including negotiating life around a desert, a waterless river, a mountain in the middle of the city, and crossing the border to Ciudad Juarez to drink & party. http://richardyanez.tumbler.com. Daniel Chacon reads this week's Poem of the Week - "Poem for the Young White Man who Asked Me how I, an Intelligent Well-Read Person, Could Believe in the War Between the Races' by Lorna Dee Cervantes. http://lornadice.blogspot.com. And Benjamin Alire Saenz delivers this week's Poetic License, "Hunger is Not the Right Word," in which he reflects on the desperate need to write to survive.

From Oct. 14, 2012, an extended interview with Juan Felipe Herrera,California Poet Laureate. Herrera is the first Hispanic Poet Laureate in the state. He talks about how he’s using the exposure to create the biggest poem in the world built on the theme of Unity. He also talks about the “I Promise Joanna” Project, which invites teachers, students, and all victims of bullying to share their stories in memory of 11-year-old Joanna Ramos, who died while being victimized by bullies. Herrera also talks about his current project - a staged presentation of monologues & poems based on interviews with Cuca & Eva Aguirre, 1930’s radio stars from the El Paso-Juarez region. In this expanded conversation, he also talks about a recent "Lowrider Laureate Parade" he participated in with other California Laureates. He also explores his role as a keeper of metaphor. Juan Felipe Herrera contributes to this week’s Poem of the Week by reading a few lines from his new play about Cuca & Eva Aguirre.

Daniel talks with Juan Felipe Herrera, California Poet Laureate (aired Oct 14, 2012). Herrera is the first Hispanic Poet Laureate in the state. He talks about how he’s using the exposure to create the biggest poem in the world built on the theme of Unity. He also talks about the “I Promise Joanna” Project, which invites teachers, students, and all victims of bullying to share their stories in memory of 11-year-old Joanna Ramos, who died while being victimized by bullies. Herrera also talks about his current project - a staged presentation of monologues & poems based on interviews with Cuca & Eva Aguirre, 1930’s radio stars from the El Paso-Juarez region. Juan Felipe Herrera contributes to this week’s Poem of the Week by reading a few lines from his new play about Cuca & Eva Aguirre. www.facebook.com/pages/Juan-Felipe-Herrera/103794522993002, www.juanfelipepoet.com This week’s Poetic License comes from Paul Pedroza, a native El Pasoan who moved to the Midwest to further his studies, but who came back to El Paso after realizing it was ok to miss the desert.

In this online-exclusive expanded interview from Oct. 21, 2012, Daniel talks with Denise Duhamel, author of the poetry collection "Ka-Ching!" Duhamel talks about the inspiration behind the collection, and how a horrific real-life tragedy involving her parents inspired one of her poems. She also discusses why she considers herself to be a political poet, and why that shouldn't be a mark of shame. Duhamel talks about the rage reflected in her poetry, whether it be against corporations, the plight of low-wage earners, or the objectification of women. Duhamel also contributes today's Poem of the Week: "Delta Flight 659: To Sean Penn," from the collection "Ka-Ching!"

Are you a writer interested in contributing a Poetic License segment to the program? Contact Daniel Chacon at danchacon@utep.edu, or Benjamin Saenz at bsaenz@utep.edu.

Daniel talks with Denise Duhamel, author of the poetry collection "Ka-Ching!" Duhamel talks about the inspiration behind the collection, and how a horrific real-life tragedy involving her parents inspired one of her poems. Duhamel also contributes today's Poem of the Week: "Delta Flight 659: To Sean Penn," from the collection "Ka-Ching!" In today's Poetic License, Daniel Chacon struggles with mixed emotions upon hearing about the recent death of his father.