Passwords Primeval: 20 American Poets in their Own Words

by Tony Leuzzi (Editor)

Passwords Primeval sets aside the artificial boundaries of poetry "schools" and "movements" to cut to the art of the matter. Tony Leuzzi's astounding knowledge of poetry draws new insights from such luminaries as Billy Collins, Gerald Stern, Jane Hirshfield, Patricia Smith, and Martín Espada. These new interviews provide insights into the poets and their poems without compromising any of their mystery. Whether you're looking for deeper understanding of your favorite poets or are simply interested in the lives of contemporary artists, Passwords Primeval reveals the interconnectedness of these masters whose voices echo each other from opposite ends of the same canyon.
A Best Book for Writers by Poets and Writers Magazine

Genres: Poetry

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2012

About the author

Tony Leuzzi is a poet who has written four books of poetry, most recently Fog Notes (Tiger Bark Press, 2023), several poetry chapbooks, and edited one anthology of interviews called Passwords Primeval: 20 American Poets in Their Own Words. He has written articles and book reviews for several publications. He is also a visual artist.

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf but did really enjoy. a good book for dipping in and out of, re-inspiring yourself around craft questions.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Poems . . . are perfume bottles momentarily unstopped--what they release is volatile and will vanish, and yet it can be released again." - Jane Hirshfield

"Why, of all punishments, a pillar of salt?" -Karen Volkman

"The individual mind is connected to the species through language, language as a sort of external nervous system." -Bin Ramke

[Brian]

Some good interviews. I was particularly interested in Scott Cairns and Billy Collins.