In "Trickster," Leah Haight crafts a haunting wilderness metaphor that transforms from a tale of physical survival into a profound meditation on emotional vulnerability. Through vivid imagery of forest hideaways and animal instincts, the poem reveals the exhausting vigilance of someone evading emotional pain, only to discover that hope itself is the ultimate trickster that cannot be outrun.

Today, we are exploring in this poem a solitary figure who navigates the concrete landscape of modern urban life, where personal identity dissolves into the city's persistent rhythm. The poet creates contrasts between personal experiences and city surroundings—sins written in chalk beside riverfront walkways, childhood memories projected onto office buildings, and factory smokestacks standing silent like flags at half-mast.

Through strong imagery that transforms everyday objects into something more meaningful, we see a search for connection in an isolating environment.

This thoughtful reflection on alienation, memory, and possibility encourages readers to find beauty and personal meaning within the challenging urban landscape.

Join us as Ben Rockwood, co-founder of Bainbridge Island Press, shares Jorge Luis Borges' haunting poem "The Moon." In this intimate reading, Ben explores how Borges transforms our familiar celestial companion into something both ancient and new, bridging mythology, memory, and the moon's timeless presence in human imagination. Through Borges' masterful verses, we'll discover how the same moon that illuminated prehistoric nights continues to cast its spell over poets and dreamers today.

Hey poetry lovers! Elisabeth Sharp McKetta's "Hey, Coyote" asks - what if you're both the outlaw and the poet? What if language itself is contraband? And that Coyote figure... well, they might just be you. Come hang out with us and listen to me bang on my desk with my hands (thanks, microphone) for a spell while we explore this wild ride of a poem.

If you are interested in how liminal spaces can be used in poetry through pieces of time, this is the place for you.

If you are interested in rediscovering your wild nature, your past self, and finding a harmony between the domestic self and the coyote…we’ve got’cha covered.

In this episode, we explore Adelia Ritchie's haunting poem 'Night Shroud,' a meditation on sleepless nights and lingering regret. Through imagery and rhythmic progression, Ritchie brings together insomnia, self-doubt, and emotional isolation into a powerful nocturnal reflection. Join us as we examine how she builds tension through carefully chosen metaphors culminating in that devastating final question. We'll discuss how her economic use of language amplifies the emotional impact, making each word resonate with meaning.

Join us for an exploration of Tamarah Rockwood's poem "Dear Enemy" from her 2023 collection "A, B." In this episode, we navigate the definitions, symbolism, mythology, and roles of villains. This episode goes into how poetry can help us understand what villains look like in many forms…such as a Dear Enemy. If you like talking about fairies, wolves, witches, birds, and bicycles, this is the podcast episode for you!

Join us for an exploration of David Cazden's poem "Feral Dogs of Chernobyl" from his 2024 collection "New Stars & Constellations." In this episode, we navigate the unexpected teachers of resilience – the dogs that have made their home in an abandoned landscape. Through Cazden's lens, these survivors become a metaphor for human perseverance, showing us how to move forward through our own mistakes. We unpack how these figures, adapting and thriving in the aftermath of one of humanity's greatest errors, offer us a profound lesson in hope. This episode goes into how poetry can transform even our darkest moments into pathways toward healing and redemption.

If you have ever read Pritchard’s poetry, you know it is just a journey of wonder, order, imagination, risk, and language. Ben Rockwood explores the luminous “The Matrix” on today’s episode that you don’t want to miss.