Poet, musician, Detroiter, Wayne State University professor, and human rights advocate ML Liebler will be reading at Book Suey this Thursday at 7 p.m. I’ll be part of the lineup, along with Emily Rose, and The Magic Poetry Band. It’s an honor to read with such a big-hearted guy and life-long poet. Ahead of that event, I got a chance to ask ML a few questions about his beautiful book.
1. In Hound Dog, your chapters are named after famous musicians, but the book is really about your capacity to love: love music, your grandparents, your wife, your children and grandchildren. Was this the goal from early on?
Yes! As I thought about how to structure the book, the thought came to me to make it like an album with tracks. I didn’t want it to be a name-dropper, but I’ve met a lot of my heroes over the years. I didn’t set out to do that—it just happened, so the album idea made sense to connect to my life that has been heavily influenced, thanks to grandma, by music.
2. You’ve taken many risks in your life, from being arrested during the Detroit newspaper strike to teaching poetry in Afghanistan. Is it the job of the poet to stand up to injustice?
I don’t think it’s a poet’s job is to do that. I was led in that direction because of the music and the times. I became involved in both subversive politics and later in party politics at a young age (definitely by the age of 12). I ran for office as soon as I turned 18 and became a delegate for McGovern. Before that, I participated in demonstrations against the war in high school, but I was thinking that way before then.
3. You are a revered professor who offers great advice, such as, “I tell my students … when you’re a writer, if someone asks you to do something, anywhere in the world, always say yes.” Why is that important?
I always wanted to become a college teacher because I had been influenced by many of my great teachers at Macomb South. My 6th grade teacher told my grandparents that I’d “make a great teacher…but not with kids”.
This is a good question. Someone with a first book recently asked how they could get their new book out there like I did. I often say to that (referring on Kerouac commenting about Christ walking on water) “M. L. Liebler wasn’t built in a day.” I said first you have to take every gig available and when not available, create one. Maybe that’s my working-class background. Second, don’t think about money. It will come if you believe in your work. Once I flew to Hong Kong on my own dime to read 1-2 poems on the Hong Kong Poetry Festival. That led to my return visits as a Fulbright Specialist with the US State Dept. I took every State Dept gig they offered in Israel, Palestine, Russia, Afghanistan, and parts of Europe. Then when I became the director of the Detroit National YMCA Writers Voice, I flew all over the US helping Y’s start their own Writers Voices. There is so much more to this story, but I think you get the gist.
4. You earned a position as a tenure-track professor at a young age. For writers searching for careers now, what do you recommend?
Well, here’s the kicker. I was never on a tenured track. I think this was good for me. It kept me from getting a big head. Plus, after nearly 50 years, what difference did it make?
Now advice: stay true to yourself and continue to grow and be innovative as a teacher and you will find your place. There are plenty of jobs, but it has to be your real delight. Don’t feel sorry for yourself.
I am a teacher 24/7. I’m always a teacher, and I’m available always. This means getting back with students on Saturdays or Sundays. If you have the right mindset, you will succeed too. I’ve often said if I have to pick between teaching or writing, I’d take teaching every time.
Now I think I need another memoir!
