Poet Ron Silliman Visits Athens

On Monday, the UGA Creative Writing Program presented poet Ron Silliman at in downtown Athens.

Silliman is also an editor on various poetry books and newsletters such as Tottel’s Magazine, and well known for his popular blog on contemporary poetry. He has won several awards, including most recently the Levinson Prize from the Poetry Foundation.

He read excerpts from his current project Universe, a book of long form poetry. Universe will be comprised of 365 sections. To put that number into perspective, Silliman explained that one of his published books of long form poetry, Alphabet, “is 26 sections and it took me 25 years to write it.”

He appeared enthusiastic about the project however, and read with passion and expertise. Silliman said his poetry used to be more conservative, but it has changed over the years. He was born in 1945 in the San Francisco Bay area and now lives in Pennsylvania.

Before the reading in one of Ciné’s theaters, the crowd of about 50 people, mostly students and young adults, mingled around the bar and lounge. Snacks like chips and salsa from the downtown and coffee from ’s were provided.

As part of the series, published author and photographer Catherine Wagner will be presenting at Ciné on today at 7:30,