Larry Levis (1946-1996) attributed a powerful and direct effect of the landscapes of his life, particularly of his childhood in the central valley of California, on his poetry. His poems had always evinced the landscapes of rural California for me, so it was interesting and gratifying to learn that about him and his creative process. Today’s excerpt is from his fantastic short poem, “The Spirit Says You are Nothing” – read the whole poem here. Drawing (pencil on newsprint), photograph, and composition by me.