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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1989)
Midwestern writer explores rural life, has national appeal By John Payne Staff Reporter At two in the morning, when the moon has driven away, leaving thefaint taillight of one star at the horizon, a light like moonlight leaks from broken crates that lie fallen along the highway, becoming motels, all-night cafes, and bus stations with greenhouse windows, where lone women sit like over turned flowerpots, crushing the soft, gray petals of old coats. -“Highway 30,’’ by Ted Kooser With six published books, and numerous literary awards, Lincoln poet Ted Kooser is among the more acclaimed writers oT the Midwest. His work over the past twenty years has had nationwide appeal, conjuring solemn, often mournful images of rural exis tence. Born in Ames, Iowa, in 1939, Kooser attended Iowa State, where he first was published in student literary magazines. In 1968 he re ceived his Masters degree in Eng lish from the University of Ne braska-Lincoln. His 1980 publication “Sure Signs,” a collection of poems, re ceived the Society for Midlands Authors’ Prize for the best book of poetry by a Midwestern author for that year. Aitnougn much ot his poetry concerns me joys and hardships of farm life, Kooser said his work is not directed entirely at local read ers. "Certainly my rural background has influenced my poetry. I mean, you have to write about what you know,” he said. “But I’m not writ ing specifically about Iowa or Nebraska.” For the past 16 years Kooser has worked at Lincoln Benefit Life Company, where he is second vice president in charge of marketing. He frequently is asked to substitute as a visiting professor for UNL poetry classes. Kooser also has served on the Nebraska Arts Council and as elected president of the Nebraska Literary Heritage Association. Perhaps his most interesting work is “Hatcher,” a book which tells the story of a philandering writer. The fictional Hatcher never is shown or heard from, but Kooser recalls his adventurous life through quotes from those who knew him. < The unusual format of the book was inspired by a relationship* Kooser had with a woman in the late 70s. “It was a classic case of unre quited love," he said. "I was be tween marriages and infatuated with this woman who paid me no attention whatever. I began send ing her postcards with these Victo rian drawings, every time a differ ent figure would be saying some thing to express how I felt.” “Pretty soon, the attraction died, but I started thinking to myself that it might be a good idea for a book," See KOOSER on 12 All Schabcn/ Daily Nebraskan Writer Ted Kooser sits in his tree house; one of the many places on his acreage where he sits and thinks about his writing. Catch J^Lfs Our Falling CSTo(^L Prices! £fashions etc. f Lincoln women's t-if/ \Z apparel store 2*^ ^ All of the new % fall fashions Sat affordable prices Lots of accessories 400 N. 48th Centro Plaza |M-F 10-9, Sat 10-8, Sun 1-5 SUNDAY FOOTBALL OLD STYLE PITCHER $2.00 HOTDOGS 25c (DURING GAME ONLY) OPEN SUNDAYS 12:00 NOON Suite 9 Lounge 2137 Cornhusker I , East Campus Students i n Nebraska-Lincoln J HttMe. P “i°6/89 ~. UHH2b5ieL13SH III II kJ Get your picture taken for your UNL Photo IDentification Card East Campus Bookstore Lower Level, East Union Thursday, September 21 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or at the University Bcxjkslorc, Lower Level, City Union Mon.--Sat., 9:30 a.m.--5:00 p.m. 1 1 CONTROLLERS and I CORPORATE ENGINEERING/REFINING, NO. AMERICA December, May, and August Graduates of the COLLEGE OF BUSINESS and COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING are invited to attend a presentation/reception on career opportunities with the above departments. DATE: Thursday, September 21,1989 TIME: 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. PLACE: Check Daily Events Calender Refreshments will be served. DEGREES SOUGHT: BS or MS with the following majors: Accounting Finance Economics MBA's w/ undergraduate business degrees Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering _ INTERVIEW DATES: October 10th. 11th. and 12th, 1989 _
