Poetry For All

This week we look at one of John Donne's Holy Sonnets from the seventeenth century. This famous poem (#14, "Batter my heart") turns a poetic tradition of love and longing to religious ends, earnestly seeking God and questioning whether union with God will ever be achieved. John Donne was an influential metaphysical poet who enjoyed wide fame in his own day, then went largely unread for two centuries, and then, saw his reputation radically revived in the early twentieth century. He was born into a Catholic family, converted to Anglicanism, and became a minister. Along the way, he wrote both "secular" erotic love poems and "religious" poems of many forms. This poem is one of the nineteen "Holy Sonnets" he wrote. For a sequence on sonnets, this episode caps a mini-sequence in Poetry For All, which included a sonnet of Shakespeare's (episode 4), a reconception of the sonnet tradition by the Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay (episode 5), a set of erasure poems drawn from Shakespeare's sonnets by Jen Bervin (episode 6), and a return to the seventeenth-century sonnet tradition with John Donne (episode 7). For more on John Donne, please see the Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-donneLinks:John Donne | Poetry FoundationHoly Sonnets: Batter my heart, three-person'd God… | Poetry Foundation

Jen Bervin, an acclaimed author known for her erasure poetry, discusses her transformative work, NETS, which reimagines Shakespeare's sonnets. She shares fascinating insights into the technique of erasure, revealing how it can evoke vulnerability and challenge traditional formats. Bervin highlights themes of absence and feminist identity in her poetry, connecting it to contemporary issues of loss. The conversation beautifully illustrates how silence and minimalism in poetry can resonate deeply, urging listeners to rethink the classics.

In this discussion, Claude McKay, a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, shines a light on his iconic sonnet 'America.' Joined by experts Bill Maxwell, a McKay scholar and editor of his complete works, and Vince Sherry, a professor specializing in McKay, they delve into the poem’s complex emotional landscape during a time of racial tension. The conversation highlights themes of love and conflict, traditional literary forms, and the prophetic nature of McKay's insights on society, all while reevaluating the relationship between poetry and cultural identity.

Dive into the world of sonnets with a deep analysis of Shakespeare's most famous work. Explore its intricate structure and how each sentence reveals profound meanings. The discussion addresses themes of beauty, time, and mortality, questioning the fleeting nature of life. Discover the fragile promise of eternal expression and the transformative power of language in capturing emotions. The interplay of confidence and fragility adds layers to this timeless piece, showcasing how it resonates with audiences even today.

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to publish a book of poems, shares her profound insights on freedom and identity. Joined by Cornelius Eady, a contemporary poet exploring race in his work, they delve into Wheatley's iconic poem, 'On Being Brought from Africa to America.' They discuss her complex perspective on slavery and Christianity, revealing the paradox of redemption within her writing. Eady also reflects on Wheatley’s influence on modern poets and the nuanced layers of meaning in Black poetry, showcasing the enduring impact of her genius.

Full poem: Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263) by Emily Dickinson Tell all the truth but tell it slant — Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind — For more on Emily Dickinson, see https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinsonLinks:Emily Dickons, Tell all the truth but tell it slant --Emily Dickinson | Poetry Foundation

In this engaging discussion, Seamus Heaney, a renowned poet celebrated for his evocative works, delves into his iconic poem 'Digging.' He reflects on themes of heritage, highlighting the speaker's connection to their roots through the craft of writing. The conversation unpacks the poem’s intricate sound patterns and contrasts, revealing how violent imagery transforms into nuanced meaning. Heaney also explores the relationship between generational labor and poetry, emphasizing the emotional legacy that shapes creativity.