Take this poem

Episode 9: A Poet Reads: Bethany Lee

Local poetess Bethany Lee joins me to share a few of her poems and a few of the poets who inspire her. 

Among other things we discuss the connection between dust bunnies and time for creative endeavors. 

https://www.bethanyjoylee.com/

http://www.fernwoodpress.com/2019/05/02/the-breath-between/

Episode 8: "Recitation"

This week I bring you one of my favorite poems by Scott Cairns. Can a moment of understanding be a miracle? Can we miss our chance for inspiration if the tea kettle calls whistles too soon? 

 

A.D. Sertillange's little book "The Intellectual Life" helps me ponder Cairn's poem. 

Episode 7: Lost Love In Medieval Ireland

"Donal Og" is a strange and beautiful poem that has traveled a long way to reach us. What do we gain by reading something so old? 

Episode 6: "If it ain't a pleasure it ain't a poem"

My daughter Vivian shares some of her favorite funny poems from The National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry, which is a favorite around our household. 

Episode 5: The Snail

BONUS EPISODE!

My mother Leslie Herrema spent 30 years helping young students memorize poetry. I talk with her about the and whys and hows of that endeavor.

Episode 4: I died for Beauty--but was scarce

When you skulk around in cemeteries may I suggest that you take Emily Dickinson's #449  to accompany you?

Episode 3: My Mother's Body

Sometimes you're just minding your own business and a poem jumps out from the bushes and surprises you. In this episode I share a poem that did that to me: "My Mother's Body" by Marie Howe.

Episode 2: "I thank You God for most this amazing"

My favorite engineering professor Dr. Ben Giudice shares "i thank You God for most this amazing" by e.e.cummings and we discuss the interdisciplinary goodness that happens when poems get in our blood. 

Episode 1: Let Evening Come

This pilot episode includes stories of how "Let Evening Come" by Jane Kenyon has been passed around like a gift in my life and how the poem derives its simplicity and rootedness from material nouns that have been in our language from the very beginning.

Collected Poems of Jane Kenyon