I wrote a poem once called “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes,” which obviously got some negative publicity. A couple of women wrote poems called “Taking Off Billy Collins’s Clothes,” in which that was an unpleasant, rather disappointing thing to do. I’ve been asked about that Dickinson poem because it’s a little outrageous -- I see poetry as an opportunity to be outrageous --
A great little interview from the Website Poets and Writers featuring Shin Yu Pai. She is a writer after our own hearts.
" Poetry is for the community and acts as tool to build community. When I say community, I don’t mean the literary audience of poets and writers, academics and peers. I mean everyday people engaged with the struggle and art of living fully from an authentic place that brings together mind, spirit, and heart. "