Take this poem

Episode 49: Three by Jane Kenyon

It's as simple as it sounds. I read three small but substantial poems by Jane Kenyon. 

Episode 48: ”Klipsan Stallions”

Linda Bierds writes poems thick with beautiful language, historical drama, and an uncanny sense of discovery.  In today's poem, "Klipsan Stallions," she applies her genius to a true story of a shipwreck and the horses who swam out to save sailors' lives. 

Episode 47: Larry Woiwode‘s ”Venerable Elm” and ”Horses”

Keith Hansen brings us two poems by North Dakota's poet laureate Larry Woiwode. It's hard to top trees and horses among nature's beauties...this will be ten minutes well spent. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Woiwode

 

 

Episode 46: But I Am Done With Apple Picking Now

"After Apple Picking" by Robert Frost is a dreamy, drowsy autumn poem that retains its fresh mysteriousness through many readings and many, many years. 

 

You can find the poem here if you'd like to read it for yourself:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44259/after-apple-picking

Episode 45: God, Truck, Nature: Interview With Dave Mehler

Another conversation with local poet Dave Mehler, another record set for longest episode!

This time I have a chance to pelt Dave with questions about reading & writing, to hear his story of being a truck driver poet, and to hear him read from his book Roadworthy. Grab some whittling or knitting and enjoy: this is a sweeping episode that includes some good poems and leisurely conversation. 

I edited this one all by myself, so if the volume levels are eclectic don't blame Ben. 

 

Check out Dave's book here:

https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=Roadworthy

Episode 44: Autumn Poetry to Memorize: Bonus Episode!

"They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere

When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—"

 

I humbly exhort you to take one of these poems and carry around in your heart's pocket this fall. 

 

"Something Told the Wild Geese" by Rachel Fields

"The Morns Are Meeker Than They Were" by Emily Dickinson

"When the Frost is on the Punkin" by James Whitcomb Riley 

Episode 43: Mail from the Midwest

In the course of a week I received two poetry gifts from friends afar. And not just plain poems-- poems with reflections! My catnip.

I decided to put the poems together and make it a party. Tom Clark reads "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks and Melinda Westervelt reads "A Little Lesson in How To Be" by Kathryn Nuernberger. Brooks is a jewel in American poetry, and the ending of Nuernberger's poem gave me goosebumps. ENJOY!

Episode 42: ”To Autumn”

You're in for a treat! In this episode Keith Hansen offers an autumnal poem by John Keats. 

My mind seemed to pick up very little listening to the first reading of the poem, but mental pathways must have been etched...on my second hearing, understanding and enjoyment of the poem flooded in. A fascinating experience.

Thank you, Keith, for sharing your thoughts on this exquisite poem!

Episode 41: End of Summer

Can't get enough of the agitation, perturbation, and talking worms in this most wonderful early autumn poem. 

Episode 40: A Poem Found, Lost, and Found

Story time! I read poet Denise Duhamel's tale of a poem that ambushed her, dwelt with her, was stolen, and... you'll see. 

The poem is "Modifications" by Ron Koertge and I read from the anthology Dark Horses: Poets on Overlooked Poems.