She explained that she writes poetry, but people have advised her that her poems are not universal. Mr. Pinsky was the first to answer. He said it is the physical appeal of the poem, the elegance and beauty of the sound that creates its universality. But Mr. Gifford, the Library's Office of Scholarly Programs director, said perceptions change. Byron used to be considered universal.
Universality is subject to taste.
So when you memorize the poem, it starts to be a part of you. You have to live with it awhile. Ms. Anderson said it was a challenge to find ways to make the poems come alive. In addition to the reading, Ms. Anderson said she was trying to convey a sense of who the reader was and a sense of place. It was abonding process.