Take this poem

Episode 14: "These Days" by Sharon Olds

What do you want?

It can be difficult to articulate an answer to that question, and even more difficult to find the courage to tell the truth about it to someone else. But Sharon Olds has the guts of ten regular people and the brilliant words to back them up. Enjoy the ride!

Episode 13: Two Love Poems from the Middle

Name a more iconic duo than love and poetry.

Love poems most frequently focus on the fiery beginnings and weighty endings of relationships. 

Today I bring you two of the rarer kind: poems from the middle of love. 

"Here" by Grace Paley

"Touch Me" by Stanley Kunitz

 

Episode 12: The Gift of Hopkins

In this episode I talk with Dave Mehler--a local poet, friend, and poetry mentor-- about how the course of his life was changed by the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. We discuss Hopkins at length and read aloud several of his wild, brilliant, numinous poems.

Dave also shares his advice for how to find your way to the poems that will speak to you.

We went really long, I accidentally sang, and there's more traffic-pet-and-child noise in the background than usual.

Enjoy! 

Episode 11: A Teacher's Gift

Story time!

In this episode I read screenwriter Stewart Stern's reflection on a poem given to him as a gift. "The Pasture" by Robert Frost has stayed with Stern for decades, both as a beautiful poem and as a memorial of the teacher who introduced it to him. 

 

 

The anthology I read from is The Poem I Turn To: Actors Present Poetry That Inspires Them edited by Jason Shinder.

Episode 10: Mailbag Poetry Reading

TTP hosts its first mini poetry reading, as three listeners each share a beloved poem. Grab a seat in the front row and enjoy!

 

Tom Clark reads "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas

Melinda Westervelt reads "Happiness" by Raymond Carver

Keith Hansen reads "A Birthday Card To My Mother" by Philip Appleman

 

(If you don't need my pep talk about facing the fear of your own recorded voice skip to 5:00 where the poetry begins.)

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.