Richard Eberhart Interview with Don Swaim

Richard Eberhart, author of numerous collections of poetry, including The Long Reach and Shifts of Being, comes to talk with Don Swaim in this 1980 interview. Eberhart begins to describe the shape of poetry prior to 1956 as the new criticism, and the well made poem similar to styles of the 19th century. He goes on to explain that poetry changed radically with the introduction of poems such as Ginsberg's Howl. New beat poets were changing the structure of poetry, creating a rift in the way people approach art. He advises young poets to learn the art of poetry by practice and imitation, including the whole spectrum of poetry, from ancient to modern. Eberhart closes by reading a short selection.

Audio Interview with Richard Eberhart