Poetry Unbound Ellen Bass — Bone of My Bone and Flesh of My Flesh
7 snips
Dec 11, 2020 
Ellen Bass, a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and a celebrated poet, brings her keen insights to the forefront. She explores the humor and complexity behind pet names, revealing how societal norms can limit our language of love. The conversation highlights the challenges of expressing deep emotions through everyday words, emphasizing the importance of affectionate language in nurturing relationships. Ellen’s reflections encourage listeners to rethink how they communicate affection and connect on a deeper level.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Functionality and Significance of Love Language
- Language about love has a functional purpose, like referencing spouses in conversations.
- It also needs to recognize love publicly, acknowledging love in our language.
Meaning of the Poem's Title
- "Bone of my Bone and Flesh of my Flesh" is biblical, referencing shared humanity and love.
- It carries both erotic and familial connotations, making it a fitting title for the poem.
Political Context of the Poem
- The poem, published before equal marriage was legal everywhere in the US, carries political weight.
- It implies the absence of common terms for same-sex partners allows redefining love's public expression.