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'An astonishing life' — Poet Leslie Norris

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William McBrayer Wood | 2:59 p.m. Nov. 8, 2007
Leslie Norris still has impact. I thought I could only write legal briefs. I thought photography was my only outlet. All the words flying like the birds in Norris's little boy's head have found release.

Thank you Deseret and BYU for having Norris inspire so many even after his death.
Lisa Dewey | 12:41 p.m. Feb. 25, 2008
I can still hear the melodic voice of Norris reading one of his short stoies, and those of P. G. Wodehouse,to a small writing class at the University of Washington. It's a wonderful memory.
Stephen Humphries | 12:58 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
For one of my birthdays some years ago my wife contacted Leslie Norris and arranged for him to read one of his poems at my birthday party. Unfortunately, on the day he was not well enough to leave his house, so we all stood around our phone and listened as he read a poem. I have forgotten the poem that he read, but I remember a warm and giving person, a great man. I return again and again to his short stories and poems, many of which remind me of Wales where I was a student and of England where I was born.
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Lester Logan | 12:02 a.m. March 24, 2008
I was a student of Leslie Norris at the University of Washington in the 1970s. He was a kind man and great teacher. His short story 'Shaving' is a brilliant distillation of memory, Zen like in its diamond hard insight. One day Leslie limped into our fiction writing workshop and explained that he had hurt himself playing soccer over the weekend. I remember thinking that I hoped when I was in my 60s I would be alive enough to write and play soccer.
Alan Meyer | 10:55 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008
Thank you for this inspiring article. I'm currently playing a role in a film based on one of his stories and this article has been very helpful.
David B. | 6:36 p.m. April 3, 2009
I hadn't kept in touch with Leslie for a number of years. When I read of his passing~ immediately tears welled in my eyes.

An extraordinary person- one of those Professors or Wise Men you meet and each time is a golden, glowing, carrying away new 'a ha' treasure type-experience.

Edifying is perhaps a better word. Leslie 'filled' your soul right up past your throat (always with a nod and wink to humour).

If there is a heaven with association, I hope Leslie (and Kitty) are there and we have time. . .
Janet | 8:11 p.m. Sept. 1, 2009
Our eighth grader is reading "The Wind, the Cold Wind" for her literature class here in Tennessee. Thank you for this informative and beautifully written interview with Leslie Norris.

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Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

Leslie Norris, with some of his works in front of him, sits in his study at his Orem home. Although retired, BYU has named Norris its poet in residence.

Gallery (7 photos)
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