Episode 116: Patricia Smith, "XXXL"
In this episode, we continue our series on the villanelle with Patricia Smith’s “XXXL.” In this poem, Smith uses the constraints of the villanelle form to create a powerful portrait of familial.
Episode 115: A.E. Stallings, Burned
In this episode, we continue our villanelle series with the incredible formalist poet A.E. Stallings. Every form begs for a bending of the rules, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in big ways..
Episode 114: Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
In this episode, we introduce the first villanelle in our three-part series on that poetic form. We begin with Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” a poem that.
Episode 113: Langston Hughes, Theme for English B
In this episode, we read one of Langston Hughes’s most famous poems. We discuss Hughes’s conversational style, how he evokes the topography of Harlem, and the way the poetic speaker addresses the.
Episode 112: Walt Whitman, When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
As we prepare for the new school year, we turn to Walt Whitman’s poem “When I Heard the Learned Astronomer.” We discuss Whitman’s influence, the effects of war, the role of poetry.
Episode 111: Katie Ford, The Shroud of Turin
In this episode, Laura Evers (who has done so much work for this podcast), joins us to discuss the poem that drew her into poetry. We explore Katie Ford’s haunting poem of.
Episode 110: Tarfia Faizullah, Aubade Ending with the Death of a Mosquito
In this third installment of our series on the aubade, we feature a contrapuntal poem that explores various states of grief and loss. Tarfia Faizullah is the author of two poetry collections:.
Episode 109: Philip Larkin, Aubade
This episode continues our series on the aubade (a morning love song) with a dramatic turn. Larkin reinvents the tradition as waking to the fact that every new day brings a person.