Lit from the Basement

This week we look at Lindsay Bernal's poem Rodin's Fallen Caryatid from her book What It Doesn't Have to Do With, which won the 2017 National Poetry Series. 
We discuss Danielle's history with the poet, Godzilla studies, and Danielle tries to explain "ekphrasis" to Max. 

We have our first guests! Portland-based Doula Olivia Murphy brings Rilke's poem to the show and tells us why she loves it. Topics touched upon include the 2008 financial crisis, translation, winter in Vermont, Greek myth, and enduring hardship with grace. Max pays Danielle the best compliment she has ever received.

September Women Poets month wraps up with Samiya Bashir's poem. We discuss the pastoral tradition and how this poem can be an anti-pastoral work, our poor gardening, and Danielle explains some math terms to Max. 

Jennifer Chang's poem leads to a discussion of the "flatness" of fairy tale characters, and how her poem defies it with the complexity of her speaker.