The New Yorker: Poetry

Amanda Gorman joins Kevin Young to read “Declaration,” by Tracy K. Smith, and her own poem “Ship’s Manifest.” Gorman served as the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate, received a 2020 Poets & Writers Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and, in 2021, became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Guest Aria Aber, a Whiting Award recipient, reads 'Half Light' by Frank Bidart and her poem 'Dirt and Light.' The podcast explores themes of connection, loss, grief, surrealism, exile, language, and nature's indifference. Discusses symbolism of 'half light' as the space between life and death, and the significance of 'dirt' and 'light' in funeral traditions.

Forrest Gander, Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, discusses the themes of human-non-human relationships, environmental reflections, and the intertwined connection between poetry and nature in the podcast. He reads poems by Ada Limón and his own work, emphasizing the power of line breaks in free verse poetry and the emotional resonance of circularity and rebirth in both nature and poetry.

Kimiko Hahn, Monica Youn, Paul Tran, and Megan Fernandes discuss Asian-American poetics in a special podcast episode. They explore themes of tradition, identity, nature, stereotypes, resilience, doubt, faith, embodiment, and intimacy in poetry. The conversation touches on personal reflections, poetic evolution, and the future of poetry amidst cultural challenges.

Toi Derricotte, poet and co-founder of Cave Canem, discusses Tracy K. Smith's poem and her own work, touching on themes of identity, resilience, and historical burdens carried by black bodies. The conversation explores the power of poetry in conveying vast histories, shared imagery, and the significance of using metaphors to enhance narratives.

Margaret Atwood reads 'A Stranger' by Saeed Jones and discusses loss, memory, and the afterlife. They explore poetry's emotional depth, the writing process, and managing time during the pandemic. The episode also promotes works by the authors and The New Yorker Radio Hour.

Arthur Sze joins Kevin Young to read “The Problem of Describing Trees,” by Robert Hass, and his own poem “Vectors.” Sze has received the Landon Literary Award, the Jackson Poetry Prize and, in 2019, the National Book Award in Poetry. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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.

Tracy K. Smith, Marilyn Nelson, and Terrance Hayes discuss poetry as a tool for protest and liberation, exploring themes of historical voices, expressing grievances, and societal issues. They highlight the power of poetry in addressing racial struggles and the importance of bringing Black life into national conversations. The conversation delves into poetic form as a tool for liberation, growth, and understanding, emphasizing its role in exploring complexity and interpreting the world.

Clarence Major, a distinguished writer and artist, joins Kevin Young to read 'Downpour' by Billy Collins and his own poem 'Hair.' They explore themes of mortality, memory, and superstitions surrounding hair, discussing the power of language in poetry and global inspirations for creative focus.