. >> garrison keillor: w.s. merwin was born in new york city, the son of a minister. after college, he lived in europe for a number of years, translated spanish and french poetry, learned how to support himself as a freelance-- writing, speaking, giving readings. he moved to hawaii where he lives in a dense forest including rare species of palm trees that he's planted. "poetry," he says, "always begins and ends with listening." >> yesterday. my friend says, "i was not a good son, you understand." i say, "yes, i understand." he says, "i did not go to see my parents very often, you know." and i say, "yes, i know." "even when i was living in the same city," he says, "maybe i would go there once a month or maybe even less." i say, "oh, yes." he says, "the last time i went see my faer..." say, "the last time i saw my father..." he says, "the last time i saw my father he was asking me about my life, how i was making out, and he went into the next room to get something to give me." "oh," i say feeling again the cold of my father's hand the last time. he says, "and my father