Kay Ryan, the lesbian poet who is now serving as U.S. poet laureate, speaks in a warmly insightful video portrait from the American Academy of Poets. In the video, Ryan reads and discusses her poetry -- including an excerpt that was reprinted in the popular cartoon Boondocks.
Ryan, who lives in Marin County, California, was appointed U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress last fall. The official announcement notes her status as a lesbian simply by stating, “Her partner of 30 years is Carol Adair.”
Ryan’s poem “Backward Miracle” offers a food for thought as Easter approaches. Ryan breathes new life into Christian themes, starting with the cup of wine shared by Jesus at the Last Supper. She also revisits the multiplication of bread and fishes, the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. The poem appears in her book “Niagara River” and is posted now at the Jesus in Love Blog.
Visit the Jesus in Love Blog to read “Backward Miracle,” plus more info and links on Ryan.
This was just an amazing post. I got several of Kay Ryan's poetry books after she became the laureate. "Wow, a lesbian poet I never heard of and she got a big honor!!!" I whooped out when I first heard the news.
And then this video is so great because she is such a "lesbian's lesbian." And together with her partner of 30 years to boot! L-Word take note, this is what lesbians really look like... serious, blunt and real smart brains all!!! Ah the good old Dykes, they aren't Best they are Bestiary!!
Her poetry is just amazing, and well worth reading out loud with friends! She wrote a poem that made a pun of Medieval beastiaries, and said that people can also be "goodiaries." So clever and enchanting.
Posted by: Satsuma | March 12, 2009 at 06:14 PM