EconTalk Dana Gioia on Poetry, Death and Mortality
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Apr 17, 2023 Dana Gioia, a poet known for exploring themes of mortality and emotion, shares his personal journey with poetry's magic as a vehicle for expressing unspoken feelings. He reflects on the role of poetry in processing grief and loss, illustrating how allusions in verse can evoke powerful memories of those we've lost. Gioia also discusses the interconnectedness of poetry and music, highlighting their ability to convey deep emotional truths about life and death, ultimately challenging the perception of poetry as an elitist art form.
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Meet Me at the Lighthouse Poem
- Dana Gioia reads his poem "Meet Me at the Lighthouse", about his deceased cousin.
- The poem is set in a jazz club they frequented, featuring deceased musicians.
Continuity Between Living and Dead
- Gioia believes in a continuity between the living and the dead.
- He emphasizes the importance of remembering loved ones and carrying their memory.
Inspiration for the Poem
- Gioia wrote "Meet Me at the Lighthouse" after being asked to contribute to a book about jazz musicians.
- The poem focuses on the world jazz creates and Gioia's connection with his cousin.
