‘MTSU On the Record’ goes wild for poet’s ideas on ‘The Feral Condition’

Detailed descriptions of both the beauty and roughness of nature were featured in a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Dr. Gaylord Brewer

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Gaylord Brewer of MTSU’s Department of English first aired July 16 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and online at www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Brewer’s latest book of poetry is “The Feral Condition,” a compendium of verses inspired by his excursions to the Pyrenees Mountains, Costa Rica, Portugal, and a return trip to Tennessee.

The observations of flora and fauna in his poetry are poignant, yet blunt, and are in stark contrast to poems that romanticize nature while ignoring its sometimes violent side and humanity’s relationship with it.

cover of “The Feral Condition,” a 2018 collection of poetry by MTSU English professor Gaylord Brewer “Exquisite Human Suffering” is one example.

“You can detect in that poem some not-so-subtle jabs at some of the romantic conceits that you will see poking out of so-called … romantic nature poems that kind of undermine … what some of the real beauty is, the hard truth of it,” Brewer said.

In the show, Brewer also discusses “The Poet’s Guide to Food, Drink, and Desire,” his 2015 memoir, poetry collection and cookbook. With verses scattered among the recipes, Brewer combines the sensual pleasures of cuisine and literature into one tasty volume.