NPR's Book of the Day ‘Atlantic’ writer James Parker says his odes are exercises in gratitude and attention
Aug 21, 2025
James Parker, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes, Odes to Being Alive', discusses his passion for crafting odes inspired by life's small and large marvels—from history to the simple pleasure of curly fries. He explores the profound emotional depth of writing odes, the significance of gratitude, and how everyday rituals like cold showers can transform our mindfulness. Parker reflects on the creative process, sharing insights that resonate with the beauty found in mundane moments.
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Ode As Deep-Reading Tool
- An ode began historically as a public celebration of achievement, like Pindar's poems for athletes.
- Parker frames the form as a tool to probe beneath the surface of things and reveal what's alive beneath the membrane.
Small Things Matter Equally
- Parker's table of contents mixes grand themes and trivial pleasures to show equal worthiness of attention.
- Highlighting both America and curly fries argues that small moments can be as meaningful as big subjects.
Cold Shower As Mindfulness
- Parker describes his daily cold showers as an instant reset that abolishes thought and drags him into full presence.
- He calls the cold-shower shock a rapid form of mindfulness that returns him to the body.
