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some of my own poetry. But then I would always try to see what the people had to say. One week I might
be going clear up to Astoria, the next I’d be over in Lakeview. It was a lot of work, but I covered the
whole state. I really enjoyed the program. I tried to activate everyone’s poetic spirit, young and old. I
offered encouragement and affirmation. In Baker City they said, “We’ll gather these poems together and
keep working at it, and we’ll come out with a book,” and they did. They came out with a book of Eastern
Oregon poetry.

WHAT’S CLEARER TO YOU NOW?
LAWSON: One of my students at SOU, in the 80s, said, “We’ve got a psychology club on campus
and have invited a Tibetan Buddhist Lama teacher that you might be interested in meeting.” I went to
the lecture. He was from Tibet, in his early 30s, raised in India and spoke fluent English. He became my
teacher many years ago. I practice daily. I’m not that great at it, but it’s helped me with what they call
mindfulness, because I have a lot of distractions. To your question, I think I’m clearer now.

WHERE HAS POETRY TAKEN YOU?
LAWSON: Oh, good ole’ poetry has taken me to recite at the White House, to Europe, Asia, and most
of the states. And around here it’s taken me to many schools, libraries, places of worship, service clubs,
senior centers, granges and to poetic communities like Applegate, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Gold
Beach, Butte Falls, Rogue River, Klamath Falls, Shady Cove…I try to contribute to each community.

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