Philip Levine on Lowell and Berryman

[@douglaspayne4438]

I fondly remember stories of Philip Levine told by my professor Norman Dubie, who is also gone now.

[@robertvasquez240]

Listening to Phil, I realize how much I miss him. I was fortunate to take him for advanced poetry writing for five semesters at Fresno State, from about 1979 to about 1985 (How did I do that and get credit? Read your college catalog and you'll find a way). Over those years he became my main mentor. Occasionally I would house sit for him and Fran when they would travel abroad, and Fran died just a few months ago. I always enjoyed being around him, for Phil's irreverent humor and wit were second to none. Just as Berryman was Phil's great teacher, Phil was my one great teacher. This world is a fine place partly because Phil opened my eyes and heart to it, but for me this world is somewhat diminished without him. Fate must have allowed me to come across this video by accident--I didn't look for it--but I suspect it's one of those gifts we receive when we least expect it and need it more than we know.

[@BloodaxeBooks]

Thanks for posting this. We were delighted to hear that serendipity had Phil Levine back for you. Here's another short film we made with him: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJibmZp6q9yKpcU This was filmed in Brooklyn in 2006. That day there were police helicopters buzzing overhead and we had to keep stopping and starting the filming, re-recording poems when they were spoiled by the noisy drone. The audio isn't that good: we only had a directional mic then and that picked up the sound of Fran with a rustling bag of shopping she'd just brought back from the grocery store. She came in while we were shooting and sat down to hear Phil reading to us, but she held the plastic bag steady by the handle, and kept fiddling with it as she was listening. But it's still a great record of Phil reading in his relaxed way.

[@JerseyMiller]

This was absolutely fascinating and lovely. Thank you for preserving it.

[@reneenassif4926]

Believe it or not, I was a young intellectualist during 1970, when I sat in one of John Berryman's classes at the University of Minnesota. Meeting him changed my life, and he became my muse, capturing my youthful, idealistic heart. I still curse and bless him for leaving us too early. Thank you for sharing your delicious experiences of John with a new generation of poetry lovers!

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

I miss Phil. Greatest teacher I've ever had, in any field, hands down.

[@Mark-td6wh]

anonymous lakernerd you’re so lucky.

[@erp65]

Phil looks and sounds fantastic. I am not exaggerating when I say he speaks with as much vim & vigor as he did in 1989, when he was my teacher at Fresno State. Thank you for this.

[@Mark-td6wh]

erp65 you’re so lucky to have had him as a teacher. Such a brilliant man.

[@pitchforkcustom]

are you john berryman? no.. then it must be me.. that’s perfect berryman humour..

[@lesonyrra]

This is phenomenal.

[@writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, hemu1en.

[@williamneumyer7147]

Great anecdotes, and then he spoils it with the remark about "anti-communist" nonsense." We were told that it was nonsense for three generations, e.g., that Hiss's being a spy was nonsense. The Soviet records says something else.