Trane DeVore has a resolute, puckish wisdom to him, unnatural in one so young, but gratifying and heartfelt nonetheless. In an age in which everything has to be “new” all over again, DeVore is thrillingly chivalrous and frank… — Kevin Killian
Japan International Poetry Society (JIPS) have invited the American poet Trane DeVore to give a reading of his work on Sunday November 14th at Campus Plaza, Kyoto.
Trane DeVore was born in Rescue, California, graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.A. in English literature, and is currently on extended leave from the University of California at Berkeley where he is working on his doctorate. He has published two books of poetry ― series/mnemonic (1999) and Dust Habit (2005) ― both with Avec Books and has had his work published in numerous journals. His current projects include the epic poem Elfpit, a collaboration with poet Liz Young that is an attempt to recuperate certain elemental tropes of fantasy literature without falling into Dungeons and Dragons cliché.
When he is not busy lying on his couch reading The London Review of Books, Trane enjoys taking photographs using traditional film cameras (although he doesn’t entirely eschew digital formats). His photography has been exhibited at Cricket Engine Gallery in California and has been featured in Carnet de Route, a magazine out of Paris that is devoted to poetry, graphic design, and photography. He currently lives in Osaka where he holds a teaching position at Osaka University.
The Event: Trane will read from his second book, Dust Habit, as well as from the collaborative poem Elfpit. (Add a smattering of newer and older poems and then salt to taste!)
Date & Time: November 14th from 13:00
Admission: 1000 yen
Location: Campus Plaza Kyoto, Meeting Room #3. To find it, go out to the north of Kyoto station. Turn left, walk to the west and take the road on the left of the big Post Office. You will see an electronics store (Bic Camera) on the left side. Campus Plaza is opposite, on the right. Here is a map.
You can read excerpts from series/mnemonic here, and from Dust Habit here.
Image courtesy of Trane DeVore.
Of related interest:
One Hundred Poets on Mount Ogura, One Poem Each
People Together for Mt. Ogura – The Poets’ Mountain
A Hokku of Yosa Buson
Introducing Keiji Minato
Songs and Stories of the Kojiki retold by Yoko Danno
Japan International Poetry Society