W. S. Merwin, the author of nearly two dozen volumes of poetry, won his second Pulitzer Prize for his collection The Shadow of Sirius. In this edition of the Journal, Merwin joins Bill Moyers for a wide-ranging conversation about the enigmatic Dog Star; the unknown as a wellspring of expression; Shakespeare’s enthralling use of language; the influence of age and life experience on Merwin’s writing; and more. Also, Merwin’s poems “The Nomad Flute,” “Rain Light,” “Youth,” “Yesterday,” “Still Morning,” “The Song of the Trolleys,” “The Long and Short of It,” “To Paula in Late Spring,” and “Going” are read and discussed. Broadcast date: June 26, 2009. (55 minutes)