Lunch Between Poets

Among the number of talented, well-known poets that the University of Pittsburgh Press brought in from around the country this weekend to celebrate the life and work of former editor, Ed Ochester, was the poet Denise Duhamel, my mentor turned friend and colleague.

Like most people who encounter her, I sort of fell in love with Denise’s warm energy and enthusiasm right off the bat. She was my faculty mentor for two out of four semesters at Converse University, but we continued our interactions well beyond the workshop arena. She’s oh so sharp when it comes to poetry and I grew tremendously as a result of working with her, not just in my writing, but in my confidence as a poet and in learning how to navigate the “poe-biz” (poetry business).

We had been emailing each other about her Pittsburgh visit since sometime early last year, so had plenty of time to make plans, and to build anticipation for our reunion — despite knowing it would be brief and filled with other obligations.

We caught up over lunch yesterday and shared news we most wanted from one another: how is the job, the partner, the writing, the next book, have you heard/seen ______? what’s happening with ______ , how are you navigating the current political climate?

It was an easy back and forth, as it always is — a gentle re-centering, a moment to celebrate successes with someone how cares, to commiserate common or respective griefs with someone who understands. And, for me, a moment to take stock of how far I’ve come in my chosen life and career as a poet.