Christian Wiman, a poet and memoirist who has faced death multiple times, finds reading his work publicly challenging. Following a rare event, he expressed a desire to exercise, saying, “I don’t give a lot of readings, to tell you the truth.” His career spans roles as editor of Poetry magazine and professor at Yale, while his readers are aware of his past battle with a rare blood cancer and his spiritual journey from atheism.
Wiman’s approach to poetry involves long periods of inactivity interrupted by sudden inspiration. He views poetry primarily as “structured sound” with the potential to convey both personal and divine elements. During a Harvard Radcliffe Institute virtual event, he discussed concerns about modern society’s impact on individual consciousness and described faith as a form of attention often lacking in today’s world.
His latest book of poems, “The Dance,” includes reflections on modern life’s distractions, as highlighted by a quote from poet Kevin Young about poems serving as a “balm” for contemporary anxieties. Wiman’s work often incorporates rhyme, repetition, and wordplay, demonstrating his conservative style. At the Radcliffe event, moderated by Major Jackson, Wiman explored the spiritual aspects of poetry.
Wiman shared his thoughts on a “tune of things” that he associates with consciousness and God, although he admits he hasn’t fully grasped it. His poetry can be humorous, drawing on childhood memories from West Texas. Despite his admiration for Seamus Heaney, Wiman notes that humor is rare in Heaney’s poetry.
Wiman’s essays, like those in “Zero at the Bone,” reveal his candid take on personal struggles, including cancer treatments. Yet, he describes moments of clarity in his poetry as miraculous. After a yearlong pause, he wrote the title poem of “The Dance,” depicting an older woman’s daily routine as a subtle performance.
While Wiman’s illness once dominated his work, it has since receded. Approaching 60, he writes characters distinct from himself, yet feels they are more personal than ever. Although he’s in good health now, having survived multiple near-death experiences, Wiman has shed his fear of death. He embraces his current life with his family and his continued, sporadic connection to a divine presence.
Original Source: news.harvard.edu
