Max,
Intriguing topic, which I haven't as yet handled. Makes me think of doing so. One former student, Andrew Levy, has published more than 10 volumes of poetry, many with so-called "language" presses. Another, Mike Erwin, followed my lead in seeking out writers to interview, but died early of pneumonia. I can remember stumbling upon a third on a TV quiz show while channel surfing.
Barry
On Wed, 2 Mar 2011 09:41:18 +1100, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The Lost Life
>
>
>Meeting up for lunch outside
>at Tiamo, Lygon Street
>next to Readings Books
>
>my former student now a
>�distinguished novelist�
>would surely test me.
>
>When my student, had I sensed
>in him a future in writing?
>He hadn�t so impressed me.
>
>I�d let his other old teacher
>at the reunion do the talking. Hugh
>remembers much, I knew.
>
>And he�s been reading the novels,
>which I haven�t; ready to praise
>them now to his face.
>
>Arriving late, I find them
>outside in the warm air, deep
>in talk, starting their salads.
>
>We oldies discuss retirement.
>Do we miss the students? not much.
>I doubt I woke in mine the love
>
>I�d wanted to evoke, for Wordsworth,
>specially. The novelist recalls
>I�d seen him lugging Wordsworth�s letters
>
>�in the huge de Selincourt edition �
>you wondered could I manage them �
>that�s how involved I was.�
>
>Forget the rest. Hugh and our author
>exchange signed copies of books.
>I keep my head down, sidelong looks.
>
>We adjourn to the bookshop.
>On the sale table, our friend�s latest!
>I snatch it up, pay for it -
>
>�I�ve just had lunch with the author!
>please bag it before he sees it.�
>They make other purchases,
>
>we all shake hands again.
>I�d only saved five dollars, but
>saved him from sale-table pain.
>
>Now I will read it, I will.
>'The Lost Life', good title.
>Nice cover, story starts well.
>
>
> Max Richards in Melbourne
>
>
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