The New Yorker: Poetry cover image

The New Yorker: Poetry

Joy Harjo Reads Sandra Cisneros

Sep 16, 2020
Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate of the US, reads Sandra Cisneros' poem about contrasts and paradoxes, discussing themes of identity, memory, survival, and imagination. They explore poetry's power to reflect personal and societal realities, delving into the nuances of rhythm, spirituality, and transformative art.
34:44

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Beauty redefined through unconventional pairings challenges societal norms in Sandra Cisneros's poem.
  • Humor serves as a unique tool in poetry, offering a balance amidst darker themes.

Deep dives

Exploration of a Poem: Still Life with Potatoes, Pearls, Raw Meat, Rhinestones, Lard, and Horsehooves by Sandra Cisneros

Joy Harjo, the poet laureate, discusses the poem Still Life with Potatoes, Pearls, Raw Meat, Rhinestones, Lard, and Horsehooves by Sandra Cisneros from The New Yorker Archive. Harjo appreciates the wildness of the poem and its reflection on shared experiences in times of limited social interaction. The poem delves into themes of ruin, discovery, and the blend between the two, highlighting a sense of chaos and camaraderie.

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