The Daily Poem

Celebrate Emily Dickinson's birthday by delving into her profound poem about the fleeting nature of life. The discussion unveils themes of power and existence, illustrating how Dickinson evolved from a scientific mind to a nuanced poet. Her reclusive yet impactful journey in American literature is also highlighted, revealing the deep paradox of the human condition expressed in just a few poignant lines.

Dive into the world of Mark Strand as his poem humorously unpacks the complexities of engaging with poetry. Explore the emotional ties that weave poetry into daily life, highlighting the importance of collaboration behind the scenes. Discover the paradox of creativity, where joy and solitude collide, revealing a poet's battle with ego and humility. The discussion frames artistic creation as both a nurturing and isolating journey, drawing intriguing parallels to the challenges of raising children.

Today’s poem pays tribute to the great lover of children and the poor, whose day serves as a festive waystation on the journey to Christmas. Happy reading! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s poem from Williams’ late collection, Pictures from Brueghel, is an ekphrasis on the painting by the same name, and a lesson in disciplined observation. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Explore the profound depths of Anne Bradstreet's poem about loss and resilience. The discussion navigates through the juxtaposition of material destruction and spiritual richness, highlighting the speaker's journey from grief to hope. With thoughtful analysis of imagery and the poetic form, it reveals how tragedy can lead to profound reflection on life's true wealth. Listen in to understand how Bradstreet’s words resonate beyond her time, emphasizing the enduring nature of faith and hope amidst life's challenges.

New-fallen snow can be a kind of blank canvas for the poet. In yesterday’s poem, Stevenson wrote over it in whimsical metaphor and simile; in today’s, Longfellow finds the reflection of his own troubled heart. Happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Dive into the enchanting world of children's poetry as the beauty of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Winter-Time' is uncovered. This exploration highlights how such poems shape young minds and their perceptions of the world. Through vibrant imagery and relatable themes, the discussion emphasizes the essential role of poetry in fostering creativity and understanding in children. Prepare for a delightful journey into the heart of poetic expression!

Craig Arnold, born November 16, 1967 was an American poet and professor. His first book of poems, Shells (1999), was selected by W.S. Merwin for the Yale Series of Younger Poets. His many honors include the 2005 Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize Fellowship in literature, the Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship, a Hodder Fellowship, and fellowships from the Fulbright Program, the National Endowment for the Arts, and MacDowell. He taught poetry at the University of Wyoming. His poems have appeared in anthologies including The Best American Poetry 1998 and The New American Poets: A Bread Loaf Anthology, and in literary journals including Poetry, The Paris Review, The Denver Quarterly, Barrow Street, The New Republic and The Yale Review. Arnold grew up in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Arnold’s Made Flesh won the 2009 High Plains Book Award and the 2008 Utah Book Award.In 2009, Arnold traveled to Japan to research volcanoes for a planned book of poetry. In April of that year, he disappeared while hiking on the island of Kuchinoerabujima. In the New York Times, the poet David Orr mourned the loss of Arnold, but noted it would “be a mistake to think of him as a writer silenced before his prime... His shelf space may be smaller than one would wish, but he earned every bit of it.”-bio via Copper Canyon Press and Poetry Foundation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Anna Kamienska was a poet, translator, critic, essayist, and editor. She published numerous collections of her own work and translated poetry from several Slavic languages, as well as sacred texts from Hebrew and Greek.Astonishments, a selection of her poetry in translation is available from Paraclete Press. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s poem punctuates the precious value of time spent with family around food. Happy reading.Jacqueline Woodson received a 2023 Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, a 2020 MacArthur Fellowship, the 2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award, the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and the 2018 Children’s Literature Legacy Award. She was the 2018–2019 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and in 2015, she was named the Young People’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. She received the 2014 National Book Award for her New York Times bestselling memoir Brown Girl Dreaming, which was also a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, a Newbery Honor, the NAACP Image Award, and a Sibert Honor. She wrote the adult books Red at the Bone, a New York Times bestseller, and Another Brooklyn, a 2016 National Book Award finalist. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jacqueline grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from college with a B.A. in English. She is the author of dozens of award-winning books for young adults, middle graders, and children. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.-bio via Penguin Random House This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe