Ada Limón talks forgiveness, ghosts and fertility on 'Wild Card'
Jun 7, 2024
auto_awesome
Ada Limón, U.S. Poet Laureate, discusses forgiveness, ghosts, and fertility on 'Wild Card'. Limón shares pivotal moments in her life tied to nature, like a childhood creek and a realization about fertility while swimming. The conversation extends to topics of grandparents, memory, and mortality, providing a glimpse into Limón's poetic inspirations.
Ada Limón emphasizes self-forgiveness and self-appreciation in mid to late 40s.
Limón reflects on vulnerability as an artist in affluent non-artist circles.
Deep dives
Ada Limon's Reflections on Poetry and Self-forgiveness
Ada Limon, a poet featured on Wild Card, shares memories of feeling proud of a childhood dance routine. She reminisces about her love for jazz dance and the delight of synchronicity in movement. Furthermore, Limon connects the smell of fudge to cherished memories of her grandparents, symbolizing familial joy and nostalgia. She also delves into the importance of self-forgiveness, emphasizing the shift from self-punishment to self-appreciation, especially in her mid to late 40s.
Exploring Vulnerability and Authenticity in Artistic Spaces
Ada Limon discusses feeling like an outsider in affluent non-artist circles, highlighting the vulnerability of being in the spotlight. She contemplates the fine line between personal exposure and artistic expression in such environments. Limon reflects on navigating spaces where individuals venerate the artist more than the art, revealing the struggle between openness and protection in her creative process.
Ada Limon's Philosophical Views on Reality and Wisdom
Ada Limon shares her belief in the depth of reality beyond perception, acknowledging the individuality in how people interpret the world. She touches on wisdom gained from the unknown and the humility of admitting uncertainty. Additionally, Limon expresses her fascination with mortality and the beauty of being part of the natural world, highlighting the profound sense of wonder and appreciation for life.
U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón recently edited and introduced You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, a collection of poems by writers like Joy Harjo and Jericho Brown that pays homage to landscapes across the United States. In today's episode, Limón joins NPR's Rachel Martin to play a game for the new podcast Wild Card. They discuss some pivotal moments in Limón's life marked by natural scenery, like a creek she played in growing up and a big realization she had about her fertility while swimming in the Chesapeake Bay — and go beyond that into conversations about grandparents, memory and mortality.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday