Pulitzer Prize winner Sharon Olds discusses sex, religion, and writing poems women were not supposed to write. She reads three poems, including 'Sisters of Sexual Treasure', and talks about breaking taboos, intense pleasure, childhood radio, and defiance.
Sharon Olds' willingness to discuss taboo topics in her poetry showcases her bravery and her desire to express complex emotions.
The distinction between Sharon Olds' life and her poems provides her with the freedom to creatively express herself and explore her pagan perspective.
Deep dives
Summing Up Writer James Baldwin in Paris
This podcast episode explores an interview with writer James Baldwin in Paris. It highlights his role as a spokesperson for black individuals and emphasizes his unconventional approach to writing. The interview did not go as planned, showcasing the unpredictability of the encounter. The episode also mentions the streaming service Mubi as a sponsor.
Challenging Sexual Taboos in Poetry
The podcast delves into poet Sharon Olds' willingness to discuss taboo topics, such as sex and explicit language, in her poetry. It mentions her poem 'Satan Says' from her first book published in 1980 as an example. Olds' decision to break societal norms through her writing is described as an act of bravery and a means of expressing complex emotions.
The Persona of the Poet and Reflections on Religion
The episode discusses the relationship between the poet's persona and their personal life. Sharon Olds' distinction between her life and her poems is highlighted, emphasizing the freedom it provides for her creative expression. The role of religion in her childhood is also touched upon, with Olds describing her pagan perspective and her conflicts with the religious beliefs imposed upon her during her upbringing.
The Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Sharon Olds discusses sex, religion, and writing poems that "women were definitely not supposed to write,” in an excerpt from her Art of Poetry interview with Jessica Laser. Olds also reads three of her poems: “Sisters of Sexual Treasure” (issue no. 74, Fall–Winter 1978), “True Love,” and “The Easel.”
This episode was produced and sound-designed by John DeLore. The audio recording of “Sisters of Sexual Treasure” is courtesy of the Woodberry Poetry Room, Harvard University. Our theme song this season is “Shadow,” composed and performed by Ernst Reijseger.