Michael and Peter share their remembrances below of UGA professor and poet/translator, Coleman Barks, who passed away Monday night:
“Coleman provided refuge and anchor for entire communities—Athens being one, poetry another—for what seems like centuries. His beauty and joyous nature will be deeply missed, but will continue through a lifetimes work inspiring and encouraging writers and thinkers of all stripes. We love you Big Bear.” —Michael
“All of us in the R.E.M. world would like to say farewell to a great Athenian, Coleman Barks, who passed yesterday. Coleman was the premier translator of the poet Rumi, as well as being a teacher at UGA for over thirty years. He was a great human being; kind, thoughtful, and an inspirational person. I had the privilege to make a record with Coleman and Tuatara called “The Here and The Gone” almost twenty years ago. It was an unreal experience watching him recite Rumi and his own poems while we improvised behind him. He will be missed.” – Peter