RUSSELL BANKS & CHARLES SIMIC R.I.P.

 

I knew Russell Banks and Charles Simic in the 1960s and early '70s. We were all little magazine and small press poets and writers and Russell had yet to have a book out when we met. I was on literary and small press writers panels with each of them back then and ran into them at conferences and readings. I liked them both and appreciated their writing but found them more guarded in their reactions to my no-filter revelations and rants. They were good friends to each other and it seems appropriate that they died within days of each other. Rest In Poetry and Prose and condolences to your families, friends, and fans.