In Other Words
Essays
Walking Out of Oneself: Poetry and Labyrinth
Mary Gilliland's Reading Recommendation (John Donne)
A 3-minute movie here! My favorite birthday present ever. Captured by a friend while Peter and I were gardening on an April day 2020. When my dear husband asked what I wanted for my birthday, hearing this poem aloud was my request: ‘Good Friday Riding Westward’ by John Donne.
Read by Peter Fortunato
Filmed by Ishion Hutchinson while Korah and I applauded.
Conversations
Planet Poet-Words in Space (53 minutes): I discuss and read from both The Devil’s Fools and Ember Days. And talk about life, the universe, living off-grid, teaching eco-systemic writing at Cornell, and my poetry’s journey to book publication.
The Last Word, KSFR Santa Fe (4/17/25): In The Pool of The Sea’s Shoulder. Excerpts from this atomic elegy that re-imagines the story of my younger brother, “Freddy,” and his own breakthrough work for human rights. 23 minutes
The Last Word, KSFR Santa Fe (12/21/23): The Devil’s Fools and Ember Days. And discussion of the many ways a poem evolves. 23 minutes
The Last Word, KSFR Santa Fe (1/5/23): The Devil’s Fools. Poems deeply rooted in reverence for all of nature’s creatures and our environment. 23 minutes
Mary Gilliland on Her Essay, “Eco-Logic” - Cayuga Lake Books: A young writer inquires about my fighting to protect my home and the surrounding nature from a hazardous solvent leak, as well as current concerns about the environment after years of environmental activism.
Slant: A Journal of Poetry: Reflections on my childhood environment, reading, and spiritual life; icons and influences; apprenticeship on San Juan Ridge, residencies in Scotland; the impetus to write The Devil’s Fools; sources of inspiration.
The Woven Tale Press: The Ruined Walled Castle Garden. Correspondence about poetry during the pandemic; political issues and justice, militarism, mental illness in the family; poetic craft and skill; and the nod to photographer Lee Miller in the poem ‘Pat Euphoria.’
Out of Bounds Radio Show - WEOS, WSKG: A reading of several early works with Q&A on my life and work, love of nature, megalithic quests, and the always surprising origin of a poem.
