The New Yorker: Poetry

Nick Flynn and Kevin Young discuss Zoë Hitzig's poem 'Objectivity as Blanket,' exploring symbolism, constraints in poetry, the intersection of experience and art, and childhood influences on writing. They touch on themes of love, violence, and transformation, reflecting on the creative process and personal experiences that shape their work.

Catherine Barnett joins Kevin Young to read and discuss Wislawa Szymborska's poem "Maybe All This" (translated, from the Polish, by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Barańczak) and her own poem "Son in August." Barnett is the author of the poetry collections "Into Perfect Spheres Such Holes Are Pierced," "The Game of Boxes," and "Human Hours," out in September. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Nicole Sealey and Kevin Young discuss Ellen Bass's poem 'Indigo' and Sealey's 'A Violence.' They explore themes of envy, existence, mortality, and primal desire. The podcast delves into the complexities of poetry, self-awareness, violence, humor, and societal expectations. They also highlight the impact of organizations like Kave Conum in supporting black poets and promote Sealey and Bass's poetry on New Yorker.com.

Tiana Clark and Natasha Trethewey read and discuss their poems, diving into themes of repentance, art, life, and historical elements in poetry. They explore the emotional depth of their works, the influence of historical figures, and the power of artistic inspiration in creating compelling poetry.

Award-winning poets Ada Limón and Natalie Diaz discuss their collaborative poetry project 'Envelopes of Air.' They explore the intimate process of exchanging poems through letters, focusing on shared themes, personal connections, cultural identity, and nature. The conversation highlights the organic collaboration in poetry and introduces the New Yorker's online poetry section.

Marie Howe and Lucie Brock-Broido delve into the intricacies of poetry, exploring themes of childhood memories, societal changes, and the importance of unanswered questions. They discuss the symbolism of stars, bewilderment in poetry, and the unique voice each poet brings to their work.

Meena Alexander discusses the emotional depth and shared experiences in Gerald Stern's 'Adonis,' linking memories, music, and dreams with themes of intimacy and immigrant life in New York. She explores poetic inspiration from Kerala and the Nile, reflects on memories and imagery in art, and delves into the poet's intimate connection with creation and home, hinting at future projects.

Terrance Hayes joins Kevin Young to read and discuss Matthew Dickman's poem "Fire" and his own poem “New York Poem." Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

David Lehman joins Kevin Young to read and discuss John Ashbery's 'Worsening Situation' and his poem 'Stages on Life's Way.' They explore Ashbery's unique writing style, themes of detachment and clarity, connections with New York School poets, and delve into love, memory, and fantasy in poetry.

Tracy K. Smith and Matthew Dickman discuss the depth of 'Minimum Wage,' erasure as a poetic technique, the power of 'we' in poetry to foster empathy, and the significance of tradition in poetry. They touch on themes of hope, vulnerability, historical challenges, and the importance of repair in the face of adversity.