I never wanted to go to a foreign place and write poetry based on observations, things that I saw there. That would seem forced to me, and I dislike other poets' travelogue or Fulbright fellowship poems. I dislike things that are picturesque like that, rising from the obligation to report on one's immediate surroundings.
I was in the Basque Country and elated. I had just taught my last class and was retiring. Everything in Navarre and the Basque Country was wonderful; I saw some sights and tasted some good pintxos and wines. But the euphoria was really coming from within.
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