Ideas When a poem changes your life
11 snips
Mar 23, 2026 Greg Kelly, executive producer who reads Seamus Heaney and loves late-night poetry. Donna Dingwall, documentary maker who turned to Dorothy Parker after childbirth and loss. Tom Howell, longtime documentary maker with deep ties to poetry. Annie Bender, producer who finds mindfulness in Ada Limón. Chris Watzkow, veteran producer moved by Mary Oliver. They each read a favorite poem and describe why it keeps calling them back.
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Poetry As A Reservoir Of Wisdom
- Poetry acts like a surrounding reservoir of perspectives you can dip into when receptive.
- Chris Watzkow compares poetry to a cosmic background that hits you at opportune moments, offering solace or wisdom without daily intake.
Slow Down And Notice The Small Things
- Slow down and pay attention rather than overplanning; the poem rewards noticing small things.
- Chris Watzkow uses Mary Oliver's The Summer Day to show that 'plan' and 'wild' conflict and attention to a grasshopper grounds you.
Start With Accessible Poets
- Start with accessible poets if you find poetry difficult; clarity can be powerful.
- Chris Watzkow suggests readers try Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, or Mary Oliver, noting good poetry can crystallize rather than obscure.