19. February 12, 2021

Summary

• Barbara arrives at 70 Ridge Road to meet Olivia Kingsbury, an idolized poet, feeling intimidated and uncertain.
• She was invited after sending Kingsbury a poem, which Kingsbury reviewed and responded to with an invitation for a meeting.
• Upon entering Kingsbury's home, Barbara is instructed to take off her winter gear and put it alongside the faux fur coat of Kingsbury.
• They sit and prepare for tea, as Kingsbury asks if Barbara has been vaccinated, to which Barbara responds affirmatively.
• Barbara feels a sense of awe and absurdity at being considered equal to Kingsbury in the personal setting.
• The maid, Marie, brings in tea and Oreos, jokingly reminds Kingsbury of her upcoming nap time, and brings levity to the atmosphere.
• Barbara learns of Kingsbury's family history, including the loss of her children and grandson, as they casually chat about various topics without delving into writing.
• Once Marie clears the tea, Kingsbury directly asks Barbara the fundamental question of why she writes poetry.
• Barbara expresses that poetry for her is an insight into the complexity and craziness of the world, like scratching an unreachable itch.
• Kingsbury critiques a line from Barbara's poem, explaining how every word in poetry, especially in free verse, must add to the rhythm, likening it to a heartbeat.
• Barbara is confronted with the idea that her original writing could be better than the changes suggested by Professor Harris.
• Kingsbury warns Barbara about Professor Harris, suggesting she is overly controlling in the mentorship process.
• Their discussion leads to Kingsbury expressing her low opinion of both Harris's pedagogy and her husband's mental stability.
• Barbara recites several of her poems to Kingsbury, who then surprisingly invites her to regular morning poetry sessions.
• Kingsbury tells Barbara to leave her poems, bring more, and any books she wants signed for the next visit.
• As Barbara prepares to leave, Kingsbury inquires if Harris had focused on the theme of ‘the Black experience’ in Barbara’s work, emphasizing the importance of recognizing her own talent in poetry.
• On her way home, Barbara reflects on Kingsbury's advice about the fragility of her gift and the importance of safeguarding it from destructive influence, presumably indicating Barbara would avoid further contact with the Harrises.