Quotes from WALTER BARGEN

The position has been a work in progress in a lot of ways. Originally, there were certain minimum requirements. It was six public appearances a year, then write a poem for the state of Missouri. But they backed off of [the poem requirement]. They were concerned about writer's block, and they didn't want to encourage doggerel.

I like space/openness in poems/poetry, and having the poems grouped into sections gives the reader a chance to breathe, to relax, to reflect, to meditate, to gather strength, excitement, anticipation to continue forward through the book.

The stars refuse to come closer the way they have other nights. He squints harder. They just shimmer and float farther away.

The settling pastels, the walled horizons, the yellowing nylon curtain pulled back, unattached to clouds and rain, but the metal rungs ringing over the guide bar above the bed are a downpour.

There's no short or easy way to describe my poet laureate experience except to say I was quite surprised at the high demand for the poet laureate. I probably average an event per week at many expected and odd venues across the state, e.g., as grand marshal of a small town fall parade. Yes, poetry is alive but not always in ways that can be predicted.

Not to be too dogmatic, I don't believe there is anything such thing as free verse, as long as the poet is using language, the poet can't break enough rules to escape and still be understood.

With two books open on my lap, one in my hand, two on the floor, I'm surrounded by imperfect translations: a gathering chaos; something mysteriously formed; without beginning, without end; formless and perfect.

Writing is a form attention and trains the writer's attention to find images and stories.

Every place that I have lived haunts me. I always feel like I was never attentive enough and that I missed something, when in reality it's so much more, I missed volumes.

Overtime my writing style has evolved in part because I try to do something different with each book.

The audience's stares amputated from their faces. Wrenched out of their seats, they remain seated. The shells of their ears washed up On another shore, deaf. Deep in the meat of their bodies they hear.

Well, ultimately nothing lasts. Everything is temporal, but some things last longer than others.

I change over time and my perception of the poem also changes, hence endless revision. I sometimes worry that I spend more time revising than writing new poems.

If you wait, you grow old, nothing more.

Which of us, in his ambitious moments, has not dreamed of the miracle of a poetic prose--musical, but without (conventional) rhythm and rhyme, and supple enough to adapt itself to the lyrical impulses of the soul.

Torn from its branch, the moon waned for a couple of weeks.

There are so many poetic styles and ways to write a poem. I can hardly say that I've consciously chosen a particular style, but more that I've just found myself writing and then started accumulating reasons why I was writing the way I was.

Each delicately and fiercely imaged poem is a tribute to perseverance and survival and a lesson for us all.