Paul Simon and Paul Muldoon at JFK library

Last Friday, Tom and I went to the JFK library to hear a forum about "lyrics as literature" with Pulitzer-prize winning poet Paul Muldoon, and…Paul Simon (need I say more?). It was really interesting – mainly a discussion, though Paul Simon did play some songs for us, which was awfully nice of him. My favorite part was when they were discussing the use of mundane, every day words in the midst of poetry: like Simon's use of the word "Gatorade" in one of his songs. In response to this, Muldoon said "Everything's available" – a whole world of words out there for you to use in your work, be they high-minded and esoteric, or refreshing bottled beverages. These two Pauls are not only hugely successful, but they clearly still take such joy in writing. Muldoon, for all of his success, had a humble attitude (he expressed suspicion of self-described "artists") that I found encouraging.