In recognition of the life of Brigham Young University poet-in-residence Leslie Norris, who died April 6 at the age of 85, BYU Television will air the one-hour documentary, "Crossing Borders," on Wednesday, April 12, at 10 p.m., and again on Thursday, April 13, at 11 a.m.
Before coming to the towering mountains of Utah in 1983, Norris lived among the emerald hills and misty skies of Wales. "Crossing Borders" takes viewers to the areas in Wales where he was raised and explores, through interviews with the poet, how these surroundings affected his poems and short stories. In addition, this world-renowned master of words explains some of his best known works and reflects on the creative life.
George Leslie Norris first came to the United States to teach in the 1970s. In 1983, at the age of 61, he was invited to teach at BYU for six months. He wound up staying two decades as Humanities Professor of Creative Writing. As BYU poet-in-residence, he was able to continue writing and recording his poetry, even after retiring from the university. He also served as a roving ambassador and tutor of poetry and literature, having once commented that, “Everybody can become an adequate writer. Write always. When the poem or story comes along, you’ll be ready.”
Norris published more than two dozen books of poems, short stories and children's books, many of which were adapted for radio and television.
Writer: Jim Bell
