Writers tell us about their literary loves as part of a forum which appears in PEN America 13: Lovers.

Jessica Hagedorn | John Barth | Yusef Komunyakaa | Stewart O’Nan | Anne Landsman |
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh | Lily Tuck | Jesse Ball | Elissa Schappell

Strange Connections

Many writers have inspired me throughout my life. Strange connections: Lorca’s yearning connected to my Filipino-ness and to my being a poet first. Even in translation, Lorca’s musicality and haunting rhythms were and are a gift. So I guess you could call him my first love.

The spunky street-wise poems of Victor Hernandez Cruz—who was my age and already published while I was still finding my voice—came next. Around the time where I also connected to Ntozake Shange, Ishmael Reed, Thulani Davis, and Miguel Piñero. Among others. You might say they taught me how to be an American. To try expanding my vision and write novels and plays. Again, I fell in love. It was the ’70s: You could have more than one lover.

Which brings me to Manuel Puig and García Márquez. Cabrera Infante. Lispector. Mad love, utterly liberating. Still carry a torch for those folk.

Three years ago I stumbled upon Roberto Bolaño in a gloomy dive in Mexico City. He was by himself, nursing a drink. Reposado blanco, what else do you expect?

He asked me for a cigarette.

I thought you were dead, I said.

We’ve been together ever since.
 

Copyright © 2010 by Jessica Hagedorn. All rights reserved.