Ben & Daniel talk with Joseph D. Haske, whose recently-released debut novel is "North Texas Highway." The book grew out of a couple of stories, and the timeline flashes back & forth between the 1990s and 1980s. Joe explains why the fragmented nature of the book relates to the fragmented nature of the actual North Dixie Highway. Joe also talks about balancing his life as a writer and as the Chair of the English Department at South Texas College in the border town of McAllen, Texas.

For today's Poem of the Week, Ben reads "Friend" by Jean Valentine, written in memory of her friend Adrienne Rich.

In this week's Poetic License, Daniel shares a story from his childhood which demonstrates his mother's unusual (and dark) sense of humor.