Forrest Gander, Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, discusses the themes of human-non-human relationships, environmental reflections, and the intertwined connection between poetry and nature in the podcast. He reads poems by Ada Limón and his own work, emphasizing the power of line breaks in free verse poetry and the emotional resonance of circularity and rebirth in both nature and poetry.
Aida Limon's 'Privacy' explores human-nature relationship and assigning meaning to natural elements.
Forrest Gander's 'Post Fire Forests' reflects on survival, intimacy, and resilience in human experiences.
Deep dives
Themes of Nature and Symbolism in Poetry
The podcast episode delves into the themes of nature and symbolism in poetry, focusing on Aida Limon's poem 'Privacy' read by Forrest Gander. Limon's poetry explores the relationship between the human and non-human world, emphasizing the human tendency to assign meaning to everything. The discussion touches on the complexity of assigning symbolism to nature, reflecting on the poet's struggle with the instinct to attribute significance to natural elements.
Exploring Human Connection and Solitude in Poetry
The conversation shifts to Forrest Gander's poem 'Post Fire Forests,' which examines themes of survival, intimacy, and resilience. Gander reflects on the universal and intimate aspects of human experiences portrayed in the poem, emphasizing the interconnectedness between personal emotions and the surrounding landscape. The poem conveys a sense of hopefulness amidst devastation, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of solitude, loneliness, and human interconnectedness.
Impact of Relationships and Collaboration in Poetry
Forrest Gander discusses his collection 'Twice Alive,' influenced by collaborations with a mycologist and insights from studying lichen and fungi. The conversation explores the transformative power of collaboration and intimacy, drawing parallels between human relationships and natural phenomena like lichen formation. Gander highlights the therapeutic and transformative qualities of poetry in creating connections between individuals and the natural world, emphasizing the role of wonder, unknowing, and poetic language in expanding human consciousness.
Forrest Gander joins Kevin Youngto read “Privacy,” by Ada Limón, and his own poem “Post-Fire Forest.” Gander is a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his collection “Be With.”