by KIM HILSENBECK
Visiting writer Richard Siken will read from his critically acclaimed book of poetry, “Crush,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 at the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center in historic downtown Kyle. But you may not want to bring the kids.
Siken describes his poetry as brutal, gay and adult themed.
“The poetry uses heightened, enflamed language,” Siken said.
“Crush” contains six poems with gay references, violence and dark, intense undertones. The Arizona native says his poetry traces a pattern of thought rather than experience. Much of his writing is what he calls hypothetical, not biograhical.
Published in 2004, “Crush” got more attention than Siken expected, including winning the 2004 Yale Series of Younger Poets Competition. And now people expect to learn more about the man behind the word. Siken said most people want to know if his writing comes from a place of experience and personal pain.
“The author is different from the speaker,” Siken said.
In interviews, Siken will not share any details of his life beyond the superficial: he’s been an adjunct college professor for 20 years, taught some high school writing, lived a short stint in New York City, and is 45 years old.
“I’m guarded and reticent and I know that can be a problem,” Siken said, especially when doing interviews.
What makes a good poet? Siken believes it’s mastery of the language.
Siken will also speak at the Wittliff Collections, located on the seventh floor of Alkek Library on the Texas State University campus Feb. 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Siken’s presentations are sponsored by the Burdine Johnson Foundation, the Wittliff Collections and the Texas State Department of English.
Both events are free and open to the public.
