Noted poets and prominent literary couple Robert Hass and Brenda Hillman will appear at UC Davis for two events Wednesday, May 26, hosted by poet Gary Snyder, a UC Davis English professor. Hass and Hillman will participate in a 3:30 p.m. "Meet the Poets" question and answer session in 2203 Social Sciences and Humanities, and in a 7:30 p.m. joint reading in 176 Everson followed by a booksigning and reception. The poets will be on campus as part of the 14th annual "Places on Earth" series of readings in wilderness and environment, presented by the nature and culture program and the English department. Robert Hass is the author of numerous books of poetry and prose, most recently "Sun Under Wood" (1996). The poet laureate for the United States for 1995-97 (the first native Californian to hold the post), he is also a MacArthur Foundation "genius" recipient, a Yale Series Younger Poet, and twice winner of National Book Critics Circle awards (1984 and 1997) for poetry. A passionate and committed lover of the natural world, Hass is a past participant at the campus's Art of the Wild summer literary conference. With host Gary Snyder, he is widely regarded as a global literary voice for the rights and glories of the natural world. Hass is an English professor at UC Berkeley. Hillman is the author of five major books of poetry, recently "Loose Sugar" (1997), nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry. A native of Tucson, she spent her early childhood years in Brazil. Markedly innovative, Hillman works in the ancient traditions of gnosticism and alchemy, much like Sylvia Plath. "She investigates urban adolescence in the 1960s and the accompanying sexual exploration," a recent reviewer praises "Loose Sugar." Hillman is an English professor (creative writing) at St. Mary's College in Moraga. All events are free and open to the public. Early arrival and seating are strongly advised.