Welcome to today's colloquium with Robert Pinsky.
This is going to be largely a Q and A,
and I'm leaving it up to Robert to shape the morning how
he chooses.
But another opportunity for you to engage with him.
So as those of you know who attended yesterday's lecture,
Robert Pinsky is a former US poet laureate, acclaimed author
of six books of poetry, several books of criticism,
and a new prose work called "The Life of David."
He also founded the Favorite Poem Project
in which thousands of Americans across the country
submitted their favorite poems, which produced
a number of anthologies.
Many of you have seen him on the NewsHour on PBS, I'm sure.
I also want to tell you that Robert
is no stranger to the University of Arizona Poetry Center.
He's read for visiting poets in Writers Reading series
in at least two occasions in 1980.
In fact, we were just looking at a photograph of him
that was taken at that time over at the Poetry Center.
You could come by and see it.
Pretty embarrassing.
[LAUGHTER]
He looks great.
He still looks great.
He read again in 1994, and we're so
happy to have him back and hope that we might entice
him to return in 2007 when we move
into our new building, which is going to be
right across the way there.
You can go look at our sign also after the reading.
We're very grateful to the provost
for inviting Robert Pinsky to the University of Arizona
and to our sponsors of this event, including TIAA-CREF.
So without further ado, let me welcome Robert Pinsky.