Listening for the Mystery: An Interview with Maurice Manning

The Kentucky poet talks about the wonder of language, the value of form, and the legacy he hopes to leave

This interview originally appeared in the print edition. Photographs are by Graeme Pitman.

The house is old. 

Built before the Civil War, it’s a classic southern farmhouse: white, with tall narrow windows and a large front porch, reached via three handmade stone steps. The yellow front door, peeking from behind the screen, offers a pop of color, while two…