Marvin Bell was born in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree from Alfred University, his master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and then entered the University of Iowa for a Master of Fine Arts degree. Bell taught several writers, including Rita Dove, John Irving, and Joy Harjo. His work has received numerous honors. Named Iowa’s first Poet Laureate in 2000, he was on the faculty at the University of Iowa until 2005. In addition to publishing over 20 collections of poetry, Bell also toured with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band of writers that included, among others, Stephen King and Amy Tan. Bell died at the age of 83 on December 14, 2020.
More By This Poet
An Introduction to My Anthology
Such a book must contain—
it always does!—a disclaimer.
I make no such. For here
I have collected all the best—
the lily from the field among them,
forget-me-nots and mint weed,
a rose for whoever expected it,
and a buttercup for the children
to make their noses...
The Uniform
Of the sleeves, I remember their weight, like wet wool,
on my arms, and the empty ends which hung past my hands.
Of the body of the shirt, I remember the large buttons
and larger buttonholes, which made a rack of wheels
down my...