RVA Loves Poetry

What qualities make a truly great leader?

Join hosts Chase and Judah as they explore "A Dedication" by Lucian B. Watkins, a poem that honors the life and work of Booker T. Washington while revealing how education, hard work, and a commitment to others can inspire meaningful change.

Find the full text of "A Dedication" ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Lucian B. Watkins on the Poets.org website ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What happens when someone believes their greatness will last forever?

Join host Mae as she explores "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, a renowned sonnet that reminds us that even the mightiest leaders and civilizations eventually fade away, leaving only stories behind.

Find the full text of "Ozymandias" ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Mary Oliver on the Poetry Foundation website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

When life is full of competing voices and difficult choices, how do you find the courage to follow your own path?

Join host Yebin as she explores Mary Oliver's poem "The Journey", an extended metaphor that traces one person's determined struggle to overcome obstacles and discover the strength to move forward with purpose.

Find the full text of "The Journey" ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Mary Oliver on the Poetry Foundation website ⁠here⁠.

What does it mean to be truly free?

Join hosts Eliana and Madison as they explore Maya Angelou's "Caged Bird," a powerful poem that uses the contrasting images of a free bird and a captive one to illuminate humanity's enduring desire for freedom, dignity, and a voice that cannot be silenced.

Find the full text of "Caged Bird" ⁠here⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Maya Angelou on the Poetry Foundation website here.

When machines kill, who ultimately bears responsibility?

Join hosts John and Sunyul for an insightful analysis of Clint Smith's poem "the drone," a haunting personification of drone technology that challenges its audience to consider the ethics of modern warfare.

Find the full text of "the drone" ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Clint Smith on his website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

How easy is it for you to be fully transparent and vulnerable around your friends?

Join hosts Caitlin and Emily for a discussion of Jason Shinder's poem "How I Am", which explores a person's inability to reveal his or her inner life to close friends and loved ones, despite longing for a deeper connection.

Find the full text of "How I Am" ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Jason Shinder on the Poets.org website ⁠here⁠.

What duties in your life have you let slide--ones that you now wish you could have fulfilled?

Join hosts Joe and Josh for an insightful analysis of R.T. Smith's poem "Neglect", a thoughtful meditation on time, memory, and the lingering regret one can carry over neglected responsibilities.

Find the full text of "Neglect" ⁠here⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from R.T. Smith on the Poetry Foundation website here.

Is warfare a stage to win admiration and accolades? Or is it something more tragic and regretful? Or both?

Join host Tejveer for an insightful analysis of Carl Sandburg's poem "Iron," a striking poem that contrasts the glorified imagery of warships and weaponry with the quiet, grief-laden work of shovels.

Find the full text of "Iron" ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Find additional information and more great poems from Carl Sandburg on the Poetry Foundation website ⁠here⁠.

What urgent messages would fallen soldiers send to the living if they could?

Join hosts Caitlin and Lilian for an insightful discussion of John McCrae's “In Flanders Fields,” the iconic poem that gives voice to the fallen soldiers of World War I and their enduring call to those who live on.

Find the full text of "In Flanders Fields" ⁠here⁠.

Find additional information about John McCrae on the Poetry Foundation website here.

At what point in their lives do children begin to recognize their parents' sacrifices?

Join hosts Annie and Madeline for an insightful discussion of Ada Limón's "The Raincoat," a moving poem that captures a daughter's growing understanding of her mother's deep and sacrificial love.

Find the full text of "The Raincoat" here.

Find additional information and more great poems from Ada Limón on ⁠her website⁠.