by Anushka Shah

It’s hard to stop staring at a man wearing two clunky, silver watches on each arm. But even more captivating are the stream of words coming out of Terrance Hayes’ mouth.  Hayes is casual and disassociative, but always thoughtfully personal in his presence and his poetic voice. It was simply dazzling to have him read his work for this year’s Emily Dickinson Lecture and participate in a Q&A. Here are some highlights, pieces of advice for writing, analogies on theory, and everything in between:

1. On his significant use of poetic forms: It’s fun to push against form. Imagine doing a break dancing routine vs. you doing that same dance routine in a strait jacket. Obviously, the dance routine in the strait jacket is better.
2. On poetry and any art forms: The point is to be expressive. Don’t think about it much when you’re creating. Make it casual.
3. On creating: When there’s less capacity for judgment, you can do more.
4. On his two watches: I’m obsessed with time.
5. On poetry vs. other mediums: Poetry absorbs everything. It’s the receptacle for other mediums.
6. On writing poems:  When writing a poem, you actively give it attention, but once that’s done, you let it survive on its own. Then you raise another poem. Poems are like kids.
7. On revision: I have to change for my work to change.
8. On his work: Obsessive record keeping
9. On form again: Form is like changing outfits for snatches of sound.
10. On reading: I’m always skimming, but close reading the things I like. Pay attention to what makes you stop.