I Treat People with Amazement
Books People Have Given Me pt. 3
One of the most important things that happened to me was being around poets. Not only did it help me find art and language a normal thing to care about, but the influence of people who carried about something as I did was a profound nourishment for my young self.
I treat people with amazement.
You know how it is when you hear or read about one artist or activist crossing paths with another genius? It’s like that. The electricity in the air in those moments is undeniable, but my sense is that those people likely weren’t fully aware of how epic that little crossover would be in the view of history.
Ordinary life is capable of this. I assume it of everyone and imagine my life as a dense wikipedia article. If I had one, it would be heavy with the paths I’ve crossed.
Here is the case of one important point in my life, meeting James Meetze.
It was a creative writing event at Cal State Fullerton, and James was a guest speaker among three or four others. After the quick presentations, we broke into groups based on genres and talked with the authors. It was me, James, and this dude, Jonathan.
This is the night Jonathan and I met. I love this kid. He is a genius of his generation, and I believe powerfully in his heart and mind. In fact, I would later publish him under PRONTO.
James talked about his process, recommended some books to help our studies, and gave us copies of his latest book, The Phantom Hour.
To be given the words of a poet — hear me now, when you consider how common but powerful words are, realize that there are people on this earth who train to be careful and capable in using them. Their company is rich.
James and I would later meet again at a writing conference in DC, the moment when I realized I should live here one day, and then again in Barcelona during a 100-day solo travel. More on that trip later.
More soon,
Trevor