The New Yorker: Poetry

Timothy Donnelly joins to analyze Yusef Komunyakaa's 'Fortress', exploring occult meanings and musicality. They discuss themes of protection, forgiveness, and family dynamics in the poem, revealing hidden mysteries. The episode also touches on upcoming events, the creative process of writing poetry, and the joy of embodying varied perspectives in creative writing.

Stephen Burt, a poet and critic, discusses Liz Waldner's poem 'Velt' exploring themes of time, memory, and impermanence while touching on personal nostalgia and reflections on Velveeta cheese. An in-depth analysis of Liz Waldner's poem 'Sad Verso of the Sunny' focusing on line endings, emotional resonance, and wordplay, inviting readers to uncover the puzzle within the title and connect it to childhood memories. Stephen Burt reads his poem 'Hermit Crab' from The New Yorker, using the metaphor of a hermit crab in a shell to convey the experience of confinement and the yearning for liberation.

Maureen McLane, a renowned poet, joins Paul Muldoon to discuss and read Liz Waldner's thought-provoking poem inspired by a 17th-century narrative. They explore themes of freedom, time, and love, while analyzing the effectiveness of the use of biblical language and modern expressions. The podcast delves into the interconnectedness of species and the beauty of nature depicted in the poem 'Mesh', drawing inspiration from ecology writers like Timothy Morton. Additionally, they reflect on the power of language in poetry and discuss cultural topics referencing Maureen M. Maclean's work and the podcast, Critics at Large.

Poet James Richardson and host Paul Muldoon discuss W. S. Merwin's 'A Single Autumn,' reflecting on themes of memory and loss. They explore Merwin's unique style and the transformative power of poetry, emphasizing openness to new ideas and interpretations.

Rae Armantrout discusses Susan Wheeler's poem The Split, focusing on vernacular language, bidding farewell, and connections to Emily Dickinson's style. They explore themes of healing miracles, poetic techniques like free verse, alliteration, and absence, while providing a preview of upcoming podcast episodes.

Lucie Brock-Broido discusses Franz Wright's poetry with host Paul Muldoon. They analyze themes of life and death in 'Recurring Awakening' and share insights on grief-inspired writing. Brock-Broido also reads her poem for a snow leopard, reflecting on loss and memories.

Poet and author Jennifer Michael Hecht reads Lucie Brock-Broido's work. They delve into the history of French anthropologists dissecting each other, analyze Brock-Broido's poem 'Noctury' with themes of identity and mortality, discuss creativity through poetry and gender dynamics, and analyze Hecht's poem 'The End of the World' reflecting on honesty in writing.

Yusef Komunyakaa reads Marilyn Hacker's poem 'Names' and his own work, exploring themes of absence in poetry and the influence of early 20th-century poets like the Imagists. The discussion with Paul Muldoon delves into poetic craft, storytelling voices, and the significance of names in evoking emotions.

Poet Kathleen Graber's work, such as 'The Magic Kingdom,' is analyzed in this podcast, exploring themes of transformation and darkness within innocence. The episode also delves into concepts of art, history, and culture through the lens of poetry and silver craftsmanship, featuring a discussion on neurological imagery and the influence of contemporary artists like Duchamp.

Ellen Bryant Voigt, a celebrated contemporary poet, joins forces with Paul Muldoon, the poetry editor at The New Yorker. They explore the vivid imagery in Voigt’s poem 'Cow', highlighting its powerful themes related to nature and emotional connections. The discussion shifts to the nuances of innocence in modern poetry, contrasting historical styles. Voigt and Muldoon dig into the role of punctuation in shaping poetic interpretation, while marveling at the spontaneous process of poetry creation and the unexpected ways it resonates with audiences.