In the Studio with Poet John Maloney

This Wednesday evening those who choose to venture to the are in for the real deal. Poet John Maloney, author of two books,"Proposal" and "Town of Chilmark," and whose work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Ploughshares and Poetry, will be leading a four-part poetry workshop that he hopes will "just get people writing."

The dates of the free workshop are May 4 and 11 and June 1 and 8. All meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants may attend one or all workshops.

So far the line-up is as follows:

May 4: The Six-Line Poem and J.D. Salinger's Short Story "Seymour: An Introduction"

May 11: Elizabeth Bishop vs. James Dickey

June 1: Slow Food . . . Poetry

June 8: Exaggerated Side Effects

Maloney, who has lived on the Island for more than 30 years, is also a stonemason. He is well known for his intellegence and dry humor, as well as his powerful verse and beautiful stone walls. Somewhere in the middle of all that, he took a little time to talk granite and poetry with Patch.

How long have you been a poet?

Since I was 18 or so. I won $10 in a poetry contest in high school. Since then I knew there was money to be made in poetry.

What aspect of the Island do you enjoy writing about the most?

The feeling of town, the feeling of the ocean, the people. That feeling that the history is always there. In my book “Town of Chilmark,” I wrote a lot about the history. And otters and everything else.

Is there a word that you love that you are just waiting to find the right poem for?

Yeah, there is, but I can’t remember it . . . I really like the word crooked, but I’ve used that one.

Who are some of your favorite contemporary poets?

I like Robert Pinksy and Meghan O’Rourke; she’s a very good poet.

For those out there considering becoming a poet, what advice do you give them?

It better be important, if you’re going to write poems. You have to remember that there’s already a David Foster Wallace and a Dylan and John Prine and electricity. You have to find a way to make it interesting and vital; you’re going up against some really tough stuff.

What Island topic will you never write about?

I have written about customers, which as a stonemason is really dangerous. But I don’t think any of my poems are that topical or political.

Which is your favorite stonewall on the Island?

The old stonewalls, or the stone house across from the Community Church in Chilmark. Liz Gude has a stonewall that is cut granite and fitted. It’s just beautiful.

How long have you been building walls?

Since about 1979 . . . too long

Do you have a stone that you love working with more than others?

I like to get stone from Fall River or New Bedford. It’s a little softer than the stone on the Island. Very weathered, gray and green.

Do you find any particular spot on the Island that is always inspiring?

Just driving around and seeing the water. Whenever you get the chance to see the water it brings a lot of stuff back.

Where do you write?

Off the bedroom . . . a little office on the second floor.

What can you see out your window?

If we were higher, we could see the ocean. But it’s just a hill. It’s a nice hill, though, with a big rock at the bottom of it.

For more information on John Maloney's upcoming Poetry Workshops, contact the Chilmark Public Library at www.chilmarklibrary.org or 508-645-3360