On the first day of class Louise declared that she did not have email, and that we were to take out a writing implement and write down her telephone number in case we needed anything from her. She made no effort to be welcoming, to seem approachable or relatable. In other seminars, professors went out of their way to connect with us, playing pop songs before class or throwing a meme into their slide decks. One of my favorite professors invited us to his house for an end-of-semester potluck; another brought in a lock of Emily Dickinson’s hair*. Louise would never. She remained distant, aloof. Even when she liked something we’d written, she never lingered on her praise.
How amazing to have had Louise Glück as a teacher-- I can't imagine! Also I lol'd at "Slayer of the Oceans". I'm so sad and so sorry Maebe (not sure if I'm spelling it right) won't be here to be under the cherry tree this year. Is there something you could put under the cherry tree in her honor?
this is one of my favorite things you've ever written. i was just saying to a friend last night that i never want my poetry to be hard or lock anyone out. i still feel that way, but in this moment i do have to wonder how much of that is truly me and how much of that is a programmed impulse to welcome, to tend, to accommodate. thank you (and thank you, louise), for reminding us about other ways.
J^2 i am so glad this somehow found its way to you and so tickled that you are still drumdude619 on these here internets. also i actually might be headed to portland in a few weeks so i'll hit you up then!
How amazing to have had Louise Glück as a teacher-- I can't imagine! Also I lol'd at "Slayer of the Oceans". I'm so sad and so sorry Maebe (not sure if I'm spelling it right) won't be here to be under the cherry tree this year. Is there something you could put under the cherry tree in her honor?
oh, i love the idea of putting something under the cherry tree for maeby! thank you <3
this is one of my favorite things you've ever written. i was just saying to a friend last night that i never want my poetry to be hard or lock anyone out. i still feel that way, but in this moment i do have to wonder how much of that is truly me and how much of that is a programmed impulse to welcome, to tend, to accommodate. thank you (and thank you, louise), for reminding us about other ways.
I created a substack account just to say that I absolutely love this, Jane.
I haven't been able to bring myself to read many of the remembrances/obituaries, etc — but this is my favorite.
And not just because I'm in it.
Love,
J
(PS I live in Portland now, let's hang out)
J^2 i am so glad this somehow found its way to you and so tickled that you are still drumdude619 on these here internets. also i actually might be headed to portland in a few weeks so i'll hit you up then!