American poet (1945- )
One of the main activities of the Poet Laureate is to embody poetry. It is really helpful to see someone who presents poetry and makes them want to take poetry home with them.
WALTER BARGEN
"Thinking Out Loud: Missouri Poet Walter Bargen", KBIA
Basically poetry is not only something enjoyable, but a reservoir for wisdom, and a mirror that people can look into and see something in their own life.
WALTER BARGEN
Riverfront Times, September 29, 2009
You are so far south I keep
looking down at my thumb.
Written on the wrinkled skin
just below the joint
the neon blue veins fan out
flashing the name Utopia.
WALTER BARGEN
"Bye Bye Olduvai"
Sometimes when a prose poem is floundering, I rewrite it as verse, and it's better in that form. The reverse process of verse into prose poem, also works to clarify what's working in the writing and what's not. It's not a blunt line that demarcates the difference between verse and the prose poem.
WALTER BARGEN
"An interview with Walter Bargen, first poet laureate of Missouri", New Letters on the Air
When you're spontaneous, there's always the opportunity that you'll surprise yourself and discover something new.
WALTER BARGEN
Riverfront Times, September 29, 2009