Naturally I would a whole lot rather be back there among the pages of this book, paid up and in good standing, instead of up here in the front talking about it. Not tacky, mind you. There is a big difference. Some southern writers would rather die slowly and badly than admit to a touch of trash. There are some celebrated southern public stances which are, really, the literary equivalent of planting pink flamingos in the front yard.
Point is, all southerners equally have deep roots and plenty of ancestors.
Mostly we are kin to each other. And we have always had mixed feelings about that and the South. I am familiar with the work of some of these poets . I'm pleased to say, former students. Others like the talented student writers, Timothy Hamm and Doris Hardie, are new to me.