A few of you noticed my recent hiatus, which happened to coincide with a visit to Mexico, from which I returned dog sick (not pig sick, I assure you). I mention this only to explain my slow return, and to let you know that I’ll have a few words about my reading experiences in my version of Paradise over the next several posts.
In the meantime, I want to recommend this essay by Mark Edmundson, published in the latest issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The author contemplates the question of “readings,” the all-too-familiar pratice of passing literary works through the sieve of this or that theory in order to … well, let’s be honest, to plump up one’s curriculum vitae. The core of Edmundson’s argument is this: “[I]f we kicked our addiction to readings, our profession would actually be stronger and more influential, our teaching would improve, and there would be more good books of literary criticism to be written and accordingly more to be read.” Thanks to Ron Slate for the link!
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
I’d say Scott’s aim is bad. I’m signed up for the AdPoWo too. It might end up being a huge reunion of last fall.<br /><br />Joe, thanks for the conversation about lines. Your comments and questions really do force me to think.
Joe,<br /><br />Good to have you back, amigo!
Rachete—and I yours….<br /><br />William—yes, almost every time I travel I get laid low. Message: stay home, fool! And yet….<br /><br />Scott—good to be missed … or is your aim just bad? You might want to rephrase "dying for the experience." Eh? Re: the workshop—dunno what’ll be especially advanced about it, although I’ve come up (at my advanced age) with a new understanding about the line.
I missed you too Joe. Hope you were still able to have some fun on your vacation. <br /><br />Man I wish I could do something like that. I’ve never been out of the country and am dying for the experience.<br /><br />On a side note I did sign up for your advanced poetry workshop and am looking forward to it.
I was hoping you weren’t sick. I remember another time, many moons ago, when you dropped out of sight for awhile and it turned out you were fighting off some sort of bug then too.<br /><br />Looking forward to your holiday book notes.
I like your blog.<br /><br />http://globalartblog.com/