Two weeks ago, I posted a piece on Allen Ginsberg and the stories he wrote on the pictures he took. For Texas crime writer David Hansard, that brought back a memory:


I once spent three days escorting him around the University of Wyoming and surrounds. On our way to the Denver airport he signed my copy of Howl. It echos his photo stories in that he drew a picture and created a succinct narrative out of it– time, place and what was happening. In case it's hard to read it says,

for David Hansard
en route
Highway to Denver airport

April 19, 1971
Allen Ginsberg

In the upper left corner is a sun with rays shining on the flower he made from the O in Howl.

The most memorable hour I have ever spent in a classroom was in a graduate Pound seminar that was going on during his visit. When he heard about it, he asked if he could attend. Of course, he took over the class and everyone there – including the teacher – learned more about Ezra Pound in 90 minutes than they could in ten seminars.

The time with Ginsberg was most memorable because I got to absorb a little of what it is to be a real poet and genius. He was on a different plane than most other people, at least the ones I know.



Wow. If you have a great author experience you’d like to share, send it on.

Tomorrow: Meet a master of description

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