Oregon State University’s Literary Northwest Series will host a reading from local poets Clemens Starck and John Daniel on Friday, Jan. 18.
Daniel will read from his newest collection, Of Earth: New and Selected Poems.
His latest volume of poetry gathers work from his previous collections, Common Ground, a 1989 Oregon Book Award finalist, and 1994’s All Things Touched by Wind, with a generous selection of newer poems in between. Daniel’s poems are inspired by the natural landscapes where he has lived for the past 40 years.
Starck will read from his new book of poems, Rembrandt, Chainsaw (2011). Starck, a Princeton drop-out and Oregon Book Award winner, began writing poetry while living in the Bay Area in the 1960s. He has spent the bulk of his career as a laborer and recently retired from a carpentry position at OSU. His blue-collar background influences his poetry, which explores work, education, culture, and life.
Both poets call the Northwest their home. Daniel lives in the Coast Range foothills west of Eugene and Starck lives on 40-some acres outside of Dallas, Oregon.
The free readings take place Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the rotunda of the Valley Library on the Oregon State University campus, with a book signing to follow.
by Kerry Brown
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