Author Archives: Richard Guzman
Threshold and the Jolt of Pain
Turtles that “loom underwater like an apocryphal hippo,” or walk like some “grand, concise, slow-moving id; lions that roar “like pianos pushed along on hollow floors;” dogs with “epistolary anal glands”—Edward Hoagland’s writing is crammed with such similes and metaphors, … Continue reading
Dogs and the Tug of Life
The chances of me ever owning a dog are slim to none, though not having one is one of my wife’s constant complaints. “Everyone has a dog but me!” She’s fond of the exaggeration, saying it in half—but only half—jest. I … Continue reading
Fenton Johnson Inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
On September 14, 2017, I was asked to be one of the speakers at a ceremony inducting Fenton Johnson into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. Also on the program—co-sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and held at its wonderful John-Ronan-designed … Continue reading