The New Yorker: Poetry

Parker Henry joins Paul Muldoon to discuss fact checking poetry for The New Yorker. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jonathan Galassi, poet and publisher, discusses Frederick Seidel's confrontational poetry style and themes of change and loss. They explore the use of vivid imagery, New York lunch traditions, and poetry's impact on social and political discourse.

Poet Amit Majmudar reads and discusses Christopher Reid's 'The Confusions' and his own poem 'Invocation'. Topics include Reid's poetic evolution, Shakespearean influences, use of alliteration, suspension of disbelief, and complexity of Shakespearean plots. Majmudar explores inspiration behind 'Invocation' from child psychiatry rotation, symbolism of arms, connections to Virgil's Aeneid, and powerful imagery. Discussion includes writing without worrying about allusions, themes of loss, pain, survival, rhyme scheme, and creative process of writing poetry late at night.

Renowned poet Eileen Myles and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon discuss James Schuyler's 'White Boat, Blue Boat' and Myles' poem 'Dissolution.' They explore Schuyler's intimacy in poetry, the New York School poets, and the themes of disorientation and impermanence in their work.

Acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates reads and discusses John Updike's poetry. They explore Updike's emotional themes, attention to detail, and experimental styles. Oates also shares her own poem 'This is the Season', delving into everyday themes. The podcast analyzes the poetic significance of words and imagery, offering a deep dive into the beauty of poetry.

Former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins discusses Eamonn Grennan's 'Sea Dog' and his own poem 'Table Talk', exploring visual symbolism, Zeno's paradoxes, and the editing process in poetry.

Poet and writer Jana Prikryl discusses Anne Carson's unique style, exploring themes of death, love, and desire in 'Stanzas, Sexes, Seductions.' She shares insights on her own poem 'Thirty Thousand Islands,' diving into belonging and individuality within the island setting. The podcast delves into formalism in poetry, the influence of writers like T.S. Eliot, and the art of writing poetry with unexpected shifts in narration.

Nick Laird joins Paul Muldoon to read and discuss Elizabeth Bishop's “The Moose,” and his own poem “Feel Free.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Poets Monica Youn and Afaa Michael Weaver dive into the themes of travel, rest, and memory in 'Passing Through Indian Territory.' They discuss craftsmanship, rhythm, and support systems in poetry, exploring the transformative power of imagination and ancient prophecies in modern experiences.

Poet Andrea Cohen discusses Philip Levine's 'The Mercy' portraying the immigrant experience and challenges faced by newcomers. She also shares insights into her own poem 'Major to Minor', highlighting the importance of sound, meaning, and expressing ideas uniquely.