Aimee Nezhukumatathil, author, discusses the beauty of solitude, eroticism in poetry, and a letter writing practice. They also explore shame, representation, and desire, as well as the life and music of trailblazer Lucille Bogan. Embracing uniqueness, the power of dance, and nature's presence are also discussed.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil, a writer and professor at the University of Mississippi, dives deep into the captivating world of the vanilla bean. She shares her emotional ties to its scent, intertwined with themes of love and home. Aimee discusses the pressing impact of climate change on vanilla cultivation and the threats to its authenticity posed by artificial substitutes. Her passionate defense of genuine flavors serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and industry in our sensory experiences.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s poem “On Listening to Your Teacher Take Attendance” offers a way to ground yourself during vulnerable moments. The poet gathers strength from being loved, which helps her in times of displacement.A question to reflect on after you listen: What stories do you hold on to when you're feeling displaced?About the poet:Aimee Nezhukumatathil is a professor of English and creative writing in the MFA program at the University of Mississippi. She also serves as the poetry editor for Orion magazine. Her books include Lucky Fish, At the Drive-In Volcano, Miracle Fruit, and Oceanic. Her upcoming book of illustrated essays is World of Wonders. She is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.“On Listening to Your Teacher Take Attendance” comes from Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s book Oceanic. Thank you to Copper Canyon Press, who published the book, and to Aimee for letting us use her poem. Read it on onbeing.org.Find the transcript for this episode at onbeing.org.The original music in this episode was composed by Gautam Srikishan.