Ross Gay on Staring Sadness in the Face

Stephanie Mitchell

“I realized, Oh, I would do anything to get out of sadness. Whether it be turning to rage, or turning to paranoia, or anything else. Any kind of distraction.”

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. His collection of essays, The Book of Delights, was released by Algonquin Books in 2019. Ross is also a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project. He teaches at Indiana University.