The English department hosted the celebrated poet Linda Bierds for the Visiting Writers Readers Series on Thursday, Feb. 12 in Kimball Theater.
Bierds recently published her eighth book of poetry, titled “Flight,” a compilation of old and new poems the New York Times Book Review hailed as “radiant.”
In introducing Bierds, Professor Katrina Roberts of the English department recognized the poet’s achievement in publishing consistently well-received volumes year after year.
Bierds has also been published 22 times in The New Yorker, a publication which John Marshall of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer noted as “one of the most coveted place to have a poem printed in America.”
In 1998, Bierds received a MacArthur Fellowship for her creative writing. She also taught English and creative writing at the University of Washington, where she directed the creative writing program for three years.
Bierds’ poetry is highly distinguishable from many contemporary poets, due to the highly apparent influence of science, art and history in her work. In “First Hand,” published in 2005, she wrote from the perspective of scientist and “father of genetics” Gregor Mendel.
According to Bierds, the deeply historical nature of her poetry, combined with fictional aspects, demands a high level of research.
“I try to be true to my characters as much as I know them from the research I’ve done: to not give them words or emotions I don’t think they had,” Bierds said. “I don’t usually go earlier than the 15th century, but I’d like to.”
Much of her poetry is research driven, with basis and inspiration from historical events, but not exclusively so.
“I’m not an autobiographical poet. I’m drawn to ideas outside of my life. What I am attracted to are interesting images, or snippets of conversation, or a fact I might read that doesn’t immediately say ‘I am a poem!'” said Bierds.
This method for writing has led to many intriguing poems. In the poem “Safe” from “The Profile Makers,” Bierds wrote about a herd of cows that died resulting from rising flood waters, after eavesdropping on a couple during a ferry ride.
She described her method as “placing oneself in a receptive mode but not demanding to find material to write about.”
The historical aspect of Bierds’ writing doesn’t limit the expression of her personal opinions.
“As I’ve gotten older, my books have become more and more concerned with the planet and what we’re doing to it,” she said.
Her upcoming book will be looking at climate change and the natural world through the eyes of influential figures.
Bierds’ poetry is not overtly political, but she describes it as being more of a personal experience between herself and the reader.
“It’s more one-to-one, sharing my worries and thinking somebody reading this may also have these worries. But it isn’t a call to action. With my poetry, it’s a quieter concern,” she said.
For readers interested in Bierds’ poetry, she recommended starting with “First Hand” or “The Ghost Trio.” “Flight” is also available in the campus bookstore.
