09/02/2026
In November of 2001 I had the pleasure of doing a broadside of Wendell Berry’s poem “Breath”. It was one of his Sabbath poems. John Daniel, a fine poet and good friend of Wendell’s arranged for Wendell to do a reading in Eugene, Oregon while he was on a book tour. The publication was part of the Knight Library Press, University of Oregon broadside series. The visual artist was Margot Voorhies Thompson, a well-known Oregon artist and good friend. We did not have much notice so it was an intense collaboration as we went back and forth designing the broadside. Margot produced an energetic, bold woodcut which was printed on the back of a sheet of Kozo paper with the poem letterpress on the front side in order to soften the image.
Wendell and his wife Tanya came to the studio the afternoon of the reading to sign the broadsides. The studio was large, had a comfy couch and served as a place for quiet and rest before they embarked on a busy evening. We spent about 3 hours chatting while Wendell was signing. We were just hanging, like we had known each other for decades. Tanya was anxious to return home as she had many things she wanted to accomplish to ready the church and them for the Thanksgiving holiday. I asked Wendell about doing another project with him and he thought that would be fine, but that I would need to visit him in his home and writing space. Sit on the back porch and look out on the land while consuming one or two shots of good Kentucky bourbon. That never happened but I knew his invitation was genuine and he would have welcomed me with open arms.
During the last 35+ years I have been operating lone goose press and Knight Library Press for seven of those years I have had numerous experiences like that working with many of the finest writers. I have been blessed and continue to be so as I am slowing down a bit (I think they call it aging). It has not been wildly lucrative but full of memorable experiences. In thinking about Wendell and others I have worked with, they would say live well and be true to your vision and yourself.
