Sherwin Bitsui

Author of the recent book Dissolve, Navajo poet Sherwin Bitsui reads from his collection, Flood Song, winner of both the 2010 American Book Award and the PEN Open Book Award. He also talks about his 2003 poetry book, Shape Shift, which explores various kinds of “border-crossings.” The poet, who grew up in northern Arizona, says his poetry reflects his connection to nature and ancient traditions but also examines the dichotomy of living in two different worlds with shifting senses of time, language, and culture. Bitsui is also a visual artist and discusses how his paintings, photography, and the intense imagery of his childhood landscapes inform his poetry.