Hunting Poet

PRX

Image by: Greg Antrim Kelly

John Casteen reads a poem by the light of his headlamp.

Hunting Poet

From: Jesse Dukes
Length: 00:08:21

Poet John Casteen hunts for deer and inspiration in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Read the full description.

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Piece Description

Poets have always taken inspiration from nature. Think of Robert Frost swinging on birches, or Emily Dickinson envying the grass. But these days, it may be a little odd to think of the academic poet—safely ensconced in a liberal college town—as a deer hunter. John Casteen the Fourth is a poet who teaches at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. And he goes deer hunting whenever he can. One of his poems “Nighthunting” was featured in this year’s Best American poetry series. Producer Jesse Dukes—not a hunter--wondered what the connection was between hunting and poetry. So Casteen invited him on a camping and hunting trip to find out.

Broadcast History

Aired on WNYC's Studio 360 in April, 2009.

Transcript

John Casteen by Jesse Dukes

Suggested Host Intro: Poets have always taken inspiration from nature. Think of Robert Frost swinging on birches, or Emily Dickinson envying the grass. But these days, it may be a little odd to think of the academic poet—safely ensconced in a liberal college town—as a deer hunter. John Casteen the Fourth is a poet who teaches at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. And he goes deer hunting whenever he can. One of his poems “Nighthunting” was featured in this year’s Best American poetry series. Producer Jesse Dukes—not a hunter--wondered what the connection was between hunting and poetry. So Casteen invited him on a camping and hunting trip to find out.

John: So remember what I told you. Pick your feet up when you walk and concentrate on heel to toe. Watch for sticks, watch for crumply leaves. Let’s give it a shot

Jesse: OK, I’ll follow your...
Read the full transcript

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

Poets have always taken inspiration from nature. Think of Robert Frost swinging on birches, or Emily Dickinson envying the grass. But these days, it may be a little odd to think of the academic poet—safely ensconced in a liberal college town—as a deer hunter. John Casteen the Fourth is a poet who teaches at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. And he goes deer hunting whenever he can. One of his poems “Nighthunting” was featured in this year’s Best American poetry series. Producer Jesse Dukes—not a hunter--wondered what the connection was between hunting and poetry. So Casteen invited him on a camping and hunting trip to find out.

OUTRO:

Jesse Dukes is a radio producer and writer in central Virginia.