Interviews and Talks

Below is a speech by Stephens — a very rare occurrence — following the death of his friend and colleague, Marvin Mudrick. Also a poem, in the form of a conversation about Hemingway, whom Stephens loved to read and teach.  Transcripts of two interviews with the poet follow that. Robyn Bell’s thoughtful, careful questions produced considered responses on his background and methods, including interesting comments on the composition of the Heat Lightning poems and the Hendry’s sonnets. There are observations about teaching literature, too. The Kate Dennis interview took place around the time Stephens stopped writing, though at the time no one knew there would be no more poems. It offers entertaining reminiscences about his early life, and some more thoughts about teaching.

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