Poetry Unbound

Jericho Brown — Poems as Teachers | Ep 5

May 16, 2024

Jericho Brown, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, explores themes of love, vulnerability, and unity in his poetry. The podcast delves into the complexities of relationships, highlighting the courage in seeking help and the importance of deep connections rooted in love for genuine change.

13:10

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Episode guests

Jericho Brown

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Quick takeaways

Conflict can lead to bonding through shared dislikes, but true love transcends differences.

Love and care can strengthen relationships, transcending conflicts and fostering common humanity.

Deep dives

The Power of Triangulation in Conflict

Triangulation in conflict can create powerful bonds between individuals who may have had differences but unite over a shared dislike for something. This bonding, although initially appealing, might not necessarily be constructive in the long run. On the other hand, another form of triangulation can lead to deeper love and care between individuals with differences, strengthening their humanity and relationships.

Unity Through Shared Disdain

00:46

Introduction

2min

Exploring Myth and Love in a Poetic Encounter

4min

Exploring Unity and Vulnerability through Contrast

3min

Exploring Love, Difference, and Unity Through Poetry

3min

Exploring Jericho Brown's Poem with Community Support

1min

In “Hebrews 13” by Jericho Brown, a narrator says: “my lover and my brother both knocked at my door.” The heat is turned on, scalding coffee is offered and hastily swallowed, and silence is the soundtrack. What an exquisitely awkward triangle it is, and what a human, beautiful, and loving shape that can be.

Jericho Brown is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University, where he also directs the university’s creative writing program. His books of poetry are The New Testament, Please, and The Tradition, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020.

Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

This is the fifth episode of "Poems as Teachers," a special seven-part miniseries on conflict and the human condition.

We’re pleased to offer Jericho Brown’s poem, and invite you to read Pádraig’s weekly Poetry Unbound Substack, read the Poetry Unbound book, or listen back to all our episodes.