Rita Dove

Nothing is more humbling for any writer--amateur though they may be--than listening to, or reading a master. Last night, Rita Dove read from her most recent work at the Folger Theatre. Lapsing into a distinctly non-poetic mode, all I can say is: "wow!" And perhaps, "why do I even bother?" Well, maybe that's not all I can say. But then you probably knew that.

Ms. Dove's new book, "Sonata Mulattica", tells a story--a real-life story, informed by twentieth-century sensibilities, of a mulatto child prodigy violinist and his encounter with Beethoven. Having heard a selection of the poems, I'm ready to dive into the book and read and learn more. Like so many poets, Ms. Dove uses her work and her narrative to awaken and prod her readers' understanding and awareness of issues that extend beyond the immediate time and place of her story. Poets write parables, more often than not.

But, for me, the real treasures from last night's reading and discussion were Ms. Dove's responses to questions from the audience, particularly those relating to how she chose her subject--which admittedly is obscure. The question of inspiration is one that dogs the footsteps of most writers. How do you choose what you will write about? It was reassuring to hear that this famous (and prolific) poet was inspired by a scene in a movie, by a quirk of casting that caught her attention and caused her to look a bit deeper. To play my admittedly broken record yet again, she reaffirmed that inspiration need not be a lightning bolt or a voice from the heavens that gives out assignments like your ninth grade English teacher. It can be a minute in a movie, a certain slant of light, an oddball thought about something you see every day--it can be anything that captures your interest, for however brief a moment. The key is to pay attention, always and everywhere; to see and hear and taste and smell and touch the world you live in--then to take it all home and write about it.