I find the elitism and blatant provincialism of many (Manhattan-based) New Yorkers unattractive. Just as place can be an identity crutch that helps a person feel individual, place can be a crutch in poetry.
Cate MarvinI consider poetry my vocation, not my "career." My career is as a university professor; that's what pays the bills.
Cate MarvinTo think of writing poetry as a "career" is not only ridiculous, it's dangerous. To the imagination. To the way one thinks of art. The reason poetry as a genre is so special is because it cannot be made a commodity.
Cate MarvinPlace is extremely important to my work because I am always pulling landscape imagery into my poems.
Cate Marvin