Traci Brimhall is the author of “Our Lady of the Ruins” (forthcoming from W.W. Norton), winner of the 2011 Barnard Women Poets Prize, and “Rookery” (Southern Illinois University Press), winner of the 2009 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. She will be in town next week, on Oct. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lester’s in Wynwood for the University of Wynwood’s Visiting Poet Series. I chatted with Brimhall while she was preparing for her visit to Miami and asked her a few questions about her trip to Wynwood, her take on poetry and her plans for the very, very near future.

Neil de la Flor: Tell us about your trip to Miami. What’s on your literary itinerary for the University of Wynwood?

Traci Brimhall: I’m going to be reading from my first book of poems “Rookery.” Many early drafts of poems in the book received some much-needed feedback from workshops at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival [a Knight Arts grantee], and I’m glad I get to return to South Florida to share my work. I also hope to talk to people in the audience. My best experiences with readings have been the conversations I have with people afterward.

ND: Feedback is vital, especially when it comes to revising poems, which brings me to this vague question: What is poetry?

TB: So many people have said it better than I, so here are some of my favorite poetry quotes:

“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things.” – T. S. Eliot

“Poetry is the art of creating imaginary gardens with real toads.” – Marianne Moore

“Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.” – Novalis

“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.” – David Carradine

ND: Moore’s definition is my favorite. What’s been your biggest challenge as a poet?

TB: I’m always looking for my weak spots, both in terms of craft and what makes me vulnerable. Vulnerability isn’t always easy to spot, and sometimes subject matter that doesn’t seem risky may be the most challenging to write. I think vulnerability also carries with it the idea that it is twinned with suffering, but sometimes what makes you feel most joyful and most alive is where your vulnerability lies.

ND: What’s next for Traci Brimhall?

TB: Laundry, dishes, grocery shopping and trying to sneak in some time to write.

Read Tracy Brimhall’s “Via Dolorosa” and “Prelude to a Revolution.”

University of Wynwood Visiting Poet Series welcomes Traci Brimhall, Oct. 1, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Lester’s, 2519 N.W. Second Ave., Miami, Fla. 33127. For more information on Brimhall, visit http://www.tracibrimhall.com/.