Episode 5: Matthew Rohrer

Rachel Zucker speaks with poet Matthew Rohrer, author of eight books. The two discuss marriage, lightheartedness, serious poetic practice, little league baseball, and Rohrer’s collaboration with haiku masters in his most recent book, Surrounded by Friends. With jaunts into his own academic career and his influences, Rohrer speaks on his understanding of the New York School, an unpublished interview with Ron Padgett, and receiving criticism for being “too adoring.” The conversation touches on a variety of subjects, including Rohrer’s forthcoming book, his dreamed list of “what-not-to-do” in poetry, and the importance of addressing politics in his work.