An Interview With Poet
Paul lindholt
Lindholdt studied under writer Annie Dillard,
both as an undergraduate and a graduate
student. Her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
received the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction in
1975. She influenced a generation of writers
with reflections on nature and personal
narrative. “In my memory, it seems as if her
head were on fire. We talked birds; she kicked
my ass on the badminton court, and I showed
her how to play foosball. She had one entire
class stamp out the meter to a sonnet by Gerard
Manley Hopkins with their feet,” said Lindholt.
Clearly, her influences and inspiration remain.
His reading list is extensive. When asked
about his favorites, Lindholdt said, “One of my
favorite poets is Paisley Rekdal. Her Imaginary
Vessels is a sensuous blast, especially those
poems spoken in the persona of Mae West.
I also loved the recent book Homo Deus, by
Yuval Noah Harari. The Israeli history professor
is a peerless visionary and provocateur.”
Lindholdt has been recognized by the Academy
of American Poets, the Society of Professional
Journalists, and the Washington Center for the
Book. He gives readings around the region
and at local universities and for community
events like the Dishman Hills Conservancy
annual banquet and at Get Lit!. His teaches at
Eastern Washington University with the goal of
teaching the “the love of literature” every week.
Lindholdt’s avocations and passions are
bicycling, paddling, and participating in the
Spokane Ecstatic Dance Collective.
For more information about Paul Lindholdt and his
work: https://sites.ewu.edu/plindholdt/
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE