"I often think with envy of the poets of the 18th century England, writing in a country that was small enough everyone knew everyone else. They might not all have been friends - indeed, some of their quarrels were legendary, but to a considerable extent, they recognized each other as citizen of the Republic of Letters.
In contrast, it is possible to pass most of one's literary life in these United States without ever being aware stellar talents exist among us. Curiously, the fashion for creative writing programs hasn't really helped, as most academics write only for themselves, and for their professorial colleagues. "Poetry," Hart Crane lamented, "is about to become all the rage in America, and it's a dead bore to anticipate." He solved his own problem with this by jumping overboard into the Gulf of Mexico.
If it hadn't been for David and Pat Brodsky of Kansas City, I would never have heard of Bill Witherup. A few years ago they introduced me to his work; I was pleased to publish a short appreciation by Pat in my late newsletter, People's Culture....For various unavoidable reasons, it has taken five long years for me to be able to write a proper essay on this important book. Shelley said poets are unacknowledged legislators of the world." In any real Republic of Letters on this continent, Bill Witherup would be a Senator." ....