Poet Parini to read from new work

Author: Elspeth Pierson

Don't miss next week's reading by Jay Parini, D.E. Axonn professor of English and Creative Writing and renowned author, because it just may be your only chance during your time here at Middlebury. Parini, who will read on April 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the basement of the new library, explained that he rarely reads at the College because he feels that it is "putting a burden on one's colleagues to read too often - they might feel obliged to come." In spite of this reservation, Parini expressed great excitement regarding his selections for the reading, which will be taken from his most recent collection of poetry, "The Art of Subtraction: New and Selected Poems."

Parini's poetry is composed at his favorite haunt, Steve's Diner in downtown Middlebury, where he works each morning for about an hour and a half. The author said that despite having published books in other genres, he enjoys writing poetry the most and considers himself mainly a poet. Parini's poems have appeared in various magazines, such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly and Harper's, as well as in numerous other publications. "The Art of Subtraction" will be the author's fifth published collection of poetry.

Parini elaborated on the selection process that he used to put the book together, describing himself as "very strict, almost parsimonious" in his consideration of his work from the past three decades. Additionally, he expanded on the importance of this collection as a benchmark in his career, stating, "In many ways this is the book I am most happy about. To bring together a selection of poems is kind of a watershed in a poets life. It allows you to take stock of what you've done - in some ways to see how little you've done - but it's what you've got to show."

In addition to containing poems from the past three decades, most of which have been published previously, the book opens with 54 new poems written over the last six years. Parini communicated his enthusiasm about the appearance of these new works in print, explaining that this was the first time his anti-war poems have been published.

"For the very first time, I was able to write about politics in my poetry," he said. "I am a very political guy and I've been involved in the anti-war movement since the beginning." This statement is evident in the author's reaction in 2002 to being one of two Vermont poets invited to the White House to celebrate National Poetry Day. Parini accepted on the condition that he would stand up at the event and read a poem against the war in Iraq. This stipulation caused a rescinssion of his invitation by First Lady Laura Bush who commented that it was "unfortunate that poets had decided to become political."

The incident inspired Parini to organize a group referred to as "Poets Against the War", which consists of such famous authors as Julia Alvarez, Jamaica Kincaid, Grace Paley and Galway Kinnell. The authors banded together to give a protest reading that year in Manchester, Vt., which succeeded in drawing over 1,000 listeners. The event received national attention, bringing in over 50 reporters and warranting coverage by C-Span and 60 Minutes, among others. Parini described the reading as a big moment both in his personal life and in American politics and poetry, adding that it "helped to propel the anti-war movement in that moment."

In addition to his career as a poet, Parini also continues to write and publish many books in other genres. In addition to "The Art of Subtraction," Parini has three books coming out this year, one of which is based on his work as a professor. Entitled "The Art of Teaching," the book considers teaching from many angles, all from the point of view of a professor. Parini said that he intends the book as a source of insight and stimulation for people entering the profession, and though the central piece of the book offers a memoir of his own experiences in the classroom as a student, it is largely focused on his time as a professor at Oxford University, Dartmouth College and Middlebury College. Of his tenure as a professor here at Middlebury, Parini stated that he appreciates teaching students who are "so lively and enthusiastic about literature" and that he has been "very happy to teach at Midd all these years".