Words on a Wire

62: Addonizio's new poetry book, "Lucifer at the Starlite" responds to the idea that the 'good will prevail.' 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.” Kim Addonizio reads this week’s Poem of the Week, “Another Day on Earth” from “Lucifer at the Starlight.” Blake Nemec reads, “How the Cyprus Trees Stand on the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez Border,” as this week's Poetic License.

60: 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.

58: The book, Desert America was written by Martinez fraternizing with his demons in the Joshua Tree desert, not from a book advance. There is a power involved in representing different ethnic, class or art histories of the Chihuahuan, New Mexican or Joshua Tree desert. This show talks about colonialization of the desert and the power of narration and the power of relationship. 'Mike Wilson is out in the desert right now, putting out water for people who are crossing it.'

53: Mark Strand is a former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner. Strand unveils the work involved in writing every poem and every line and all three writers discuss the different creative processes and worlds behind poetry, fiction or painting. Strand reads “The Poem of the Spanish Poet” from his latest collection of prose poetry, “Almost Invisible,” and Daniel Chacón reads a poetic license called, “Bach Where You Found Me.“

Bryan talks about writing long, poetic lines driven by the sound of the words rather than her ideas.  How do couplets distill the living words while honoring each following white space. She reads "Body and Soul" out of her latest collection of poetry, Sharp Stars.

In this week's poetic license, Benjamín Alire Sáenz pulls gratitude for writing and teaching writing out of a traffic jam.

Daniel talks 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.

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.

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.

Ben & Daniel talk 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. 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. 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.

Daniel & Ben talk 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. Arthur Sze reads this week’s Poem of the Week – “Crisscross” from the collection “The Ginkgo Light.

Daniel talks with famed Mexican-American poet, Rudolfo Anaya, who is best known for his 1972 book “Bless Me, Ultima.” The book has been made into a movie that will be world premiered in El Paso, Texas, prior to its nationwide release on Sept. 21, 2012. Anaya talks about the pleasure of watching the finished product, and about the difficulty of handing over his beloved book into the hands of filmmakers. Anaya also talks about the struggles of being one of the first writers to get Chicano literature published, and about having his books banned in schools and libraries across the country. Benjamin Alire Saenz reads the Poem of the Week – Lucille Clifton’s “At Last We Killed the Roaches.” This week’s Poetic License comes from Laurie Ann Guerrero, who reflects on a San Antonio poet who inspires her (“San Antonio is a Poem.”)

Daniel & Ben talk with writer Eugene Gloria, whose latest book is “My Favorite Warlord.” He explains why his latest collection grew out of a failed idea and re-incarnated itself after a visit to Kyoto. Gloria also discusses how the publishing world has changed since his first book was published in 2000. The Poem of the Week comes from today’s guest, Eugene Gloria. He reads “Psalm of Myself” from his latest collection, “My Favorite Warlord.”

Benjamin Alire Saenz shares his memories of Juarez in today’s Poetic License.