The Daily Poem

Bill Holm's "Bread Soup: An Old Icelandic Recipe"

Nov 25, 2024

This episode dives into the rich imagery of 'Bread Soup,' a poem that serves as a flavorful journey through Icelandic culture. It reveals how food intertwines with memory and identity, emphasizing the emotional connection we share with what we eat. The discussion highlights the transformative power of culinary creativity in storytelling. Holm's unique perspective bridges the gap between Minnesota and Iceland, showcasing the beauty of heritage in every bite.

07:49

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Bill Holm's poem 'Bread Soup' emphasizes the cultural significance of culinary traditions and their profound connection to identity and place.

The imagery of 'belly' in Holm's poem highlights the transformative power of food, linking nourishment to life, death, and rebirth.

Deep dives

Culinary Artistry and Cultural Heritage

The poem 'Bread Soup,' written by Bill Holm, encapsulates the artistry of culinary traditions and their connection to cultural identity. Holm, who was deeply rooted in Icelandic culture, presents a recipe that not only outlines the preparation of a dish but also evokes the specificity of a place and time. The process described highlights the importance of patience and care, as transforming a simple loaf of bread into a rich soup requires attention to detail and an understanding of the ingredients involved. This emphasis on nurturing both the materials and the craft underscores the profound connection between food, culture, and the human experience.

The Enriching Recipe of Bread Soup

8min

Today’s poem opens a week of poetry about food. Happy eating reading.

Bill Holm was born in 1943 on a farm outside Minneota, Minnesota. He received a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1965 and an MA from the University of Kansas in 1967. Holm was the author of several poetry collections, including Playing the Black Piano and The Dead Get By with Everything. His collection The Chain Letter of the Soul: New and Selected Poems was published posthumously in 2009. He also wrote several essay collections, including The Windows of Brimnes: An American in Iceland. A professor emeritus at Southwest Minnesota State until his retirement in 2008, Holm was known for his connection to Minnesota. In an article for the Minn Post, Nick Hayes describes him as “the quintessential voice of our small towns and prairies.” He goes on to note that Holm “was also our lost Icelander in Minnesota.” The grandchild of Icelandic immigrants, Holm spent most of his summers at his cottage in Hofsos, Iceland, and his writing was influenced both by the heritage and landscape of both of his homes. In 2008, Holm received the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award. He died on February 26, 2009, in South Dakota.

-bio via Milkweed Editions

Get full access to The Daily Poem Podcast at dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe