The Poetic Turn

The conversation delves into the exploration of poetry, focusing on the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay. It includes an analysis of her poems, the use of rhyme in poetry, and the technique of reading poems fast and slow to gain a deeper understanding. The discussion also touches on the exploration of limericks and poetry for young audiences.

Takeaways

• Exploring the technique of reading poems fast and slow to gain a deeper understanding.
• Connecting poems by the same poet to identify themes and connections.
• The use of rhyme in poetry and its impact on the reading experience.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to The Poetic Turn
• 12:04 Analyzing the Poem 'Pity Me Not Because the Light of Day'
• 18:54 Discussion of the Poem 'You Will Be Sorry for That Word'

Edna St. Vincent Millay poems feaured in this podcast:

First Fig

Pity me not because the light of day

Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!

Information about The Uptown Poetry Slam can be found here. Here's Marc Kelly Smith is considered the founder of the slam poetry movement. 

Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com

Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com

Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

Summary

In this episode of The Poetic Turn, hosts Darren and Evan engage with Professor Mike Theune to explore the concept of the poetic turn, particularly through the lens of the poem 'Demeter's Last Stand' by Joanne Diaz. They discuss the significance of the turn in poetry, its structural and emotional implications, and how it enhances reader engagement. The conversation delves into the myth of Demeter and Persephone, the mechanics of poetic turns, and recommendations for discovering impactful poetry.

Read "Demeter's Last Stand" here (scroll down)

Mike Theune's website, with much more about the poetic turn or volta: https://structureandsurprise.com. Another project of Mike's that has poems with interesting poetic turns, called VoltagePoetry.com.

That famous Shakespearean sonnet with the easy-to-see poetic turn.

The book by John Ciardi, How Does a Poem Mean?

A link to the English Department at Illinois Wesleyan University, where Mike Theune and poet Joanne Diaz both teach.

Takeaways

• The poetic turn is a significant shift in a poem's trajectory.
• Understanding the turn can enhance reader engagement with poetry.
• The volta is a crucial element in sonnets and other poetic forms.
• Poetic turns can be both structural and emotional.
• The turn often delivers a fitting surprise that resonates with the reader.
• The myth of Demeter and Persephone illustrates themes of loss and protection.
• Great poetry often features turns that surprise and engage the reader.
• Finding great poems involves exploring various poets and their works.
• The poetic turn can transform a simple narrative into a profound emotional experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Poetic Turn

01:10 Understanding the Poetic Turn

03:35 Defining the Poetic Turn

08:17 The Role of the Turn in Poetry

12:24 Exploring John Ciardi's Insights

16:10 The Structure of Poetry and Surprise

18:21 Reading 'Demeter's Last Stand'

23:24 Analyzing the Myth of Demeter and Persephone

25:25 The Nuances of the Poetic Turn

27:57 The Shift to Lyrical Mode

29:13 Eternal Gratitude and Personal Reflection

31:02 Fitting Surprise in Poetry

34:04 The Poetic Turn: Crafting Meaning

37:10 Exploring the Heart of Analysis

39:50 Celebrating Poetic Voices

48:20 The Power of Gratitude in Poetry

49:33 Finding Great Poems

Keywords

poetry, poetic turn, volta, Demeter's Last Stand, literary analysis, poetry education, reader engagement, poetic structure, surprise in poetry, contemporary poetry

Darren's website: www.darrensvoice.com

Evan's website: www.evancarlsonactor.com

Our cover art is by Lara Johnson: @lara_johnson_art

The Poetic Turn podcast discusses the famous poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost, exploring its deeper meaning and the misconceptions surrounding it. The hosts share their personal interpretations and insights, shedding light on the complexity of choices and the creation of meaning.

Takeaways

• Choices and their impact
• The complexity of creating meaning

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to The Poetic Turn Podcast
• 07:09 The Deeper Meaning and the Poem's Context
• 18:11 Reading and Reflecting on the Poem

A link to The Road Not Taken

A trailer for the film starring Andy Griffith, A Face In The Crowd

Darren mentioned singing the poem's words in a choir when he was in high school! A link to a performance of the piece is here.

In this episode of The Poetic Turn, hosts Darren Stephens and Evan Carlson explore the poem 'The Mummy in the Freeport Art Museum' by Austin Smith. They discuss the themes of humor, the Midwestern experience, and the importance of art in small towns. The conversation delves into the role of poetry in expressing personal and cultural narratives, as well as techniques for reading and interpreting poetry. The hosts emphasize their passion for poetry and their desire to share it with a wider audience.

A link to The Mummy in the Freeport Art Museum.

Here's a link to Austin Smith's book Almanac.

Takeaways

• The hosts are passionate about poetry and want to share it with others.
• Austin Smith's poetry resonates with the Midwestern experience.
• Humor can be an effective tool in poetry.
• Art and museums play a vital role in small towns.
• Reading poetry can be approached like prose for a different perspective.
• Thematic analysis of poetry can reveal deeper meanings.
• The hosts aim to promote poetry without commercial influence.
• Every small town should have access to the arts.
• Poetry often explores personal and cultural narratives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Poetic Turn

02:45 Exploring the Poem: The Mummy in the Freeport Art Museum

05:30 Thematic Analysis of Austin Smith's Poetry

08:23 The Role of Humor in Poetry

11:00 The Importance of Art in Small Towns

13:50 Reading and Interpretation Techniques

15:42 Conclusion and Acknowledgments

The conversation delves into the power of poetry as a means of social commentary and its impact on social change. It explores the personal connections to poetry and the discussion of William Blake's poem 'The Chimney Sweeper.' The hosts reflect on the impact of the poem and its relevance to contemporary issues, encouraging listeners to engage with poetry as a means of disruption and reflection.

Takeaways

• Poetry as a means of social commentary
• The impact of poetry on social change

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Poetry and Age Perspectives

02:42 Exploring 'The Chimney Sweeper' by William Blake

05:33 The Plight of Chimney Sweeps and Historical Context

08:14 Sentimentality and Religious Undertones in Poetry

10:52 The Artistic Legacy of William Blake

13:43 Reading and Reflecting on Poetry

16:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

Read The Chimney Sweeper.

The conversation introduces Dan Smart, a poet, and musician, and delves into the importance of daily writing as a habit and the focus on the process over the outcome. It explores the life of a poet, the habit of writing poetry, and how repeated activity can create new neural pathways. Also discussed is the art of a life, the significance of line breaks in poetry and the value of surprise in poetic expression. Also explored is the dedication required to craft poetry on a daily basis.

Takeaways

• Daily writing as a habit
• The importance of process over outcome The importance of line breaks in poetry
• The significance of surprise in poetry

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Dan Smart
• 05:51 The Life of a Poet
• 12:11 Creating Neural Pathways
• 18:06 Line Breaks and Poetry
• 24:08 The Element of Surprise
• 29:22 Diving into Short Texts

A link to How to Sing is here: https://www.rhythmistheinstrument.com/search?q=how+to+sing

A link to Dan's blog Rhythm is the Instrument is here: https://www.rhythmistheinstrument.com

The Poetic Turn podcast discusses 'The Fish' by Elizabeth Bishop, exploring its themes, emotions, and the impact of its powers of description. The hosts share their insights and encourage listeners to engage with the poem.

Takeaways

• Poetry as a form of observation
• The emotional impact of poetry

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Subject
• 07:29 Reading and Discussion of the Poem
• 13:01 Building Tension and the Poetic Turn in the Poem
• 18:33 Understanding and Enjoying Poetry

A link to the poem is here: https://allpoetry.com/poem/8493567-The-Fish-by-Elizabeth-Bishop

To purchase “Poems” by Elizabeth Bishop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/poems-elizabeth-bishop/fa7d36cd804bd33b?ean=9780374532369&next=t

The conversation explores the value of poetry as a means of escape and reflection, delving into the works of Stephen Crane and his unique approach to poetry. The discussion highlights the impact of Crane's poems and their relevance in the context of modern poetry appreciation.

Takeaways

• Poetry as an escape
• Stephen Crane's unique approach to poetry

Chapters

• 00:00 The Value of Poetry
• 11:03 In the Desert by Stephen Crane
• 18:24 A Man Saw a Ball of Gold in the Sky

Link to The Desert: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46457/in-the-desert-56d2265793693

The Black Riders, and Other Lines by Stephen Crane can be found here: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40786

Darren and Evan have both worked with improv teacher Dave Razowsky. His book is A Subversive's

Guide to Improv.

The conversation delves into the significance of poetry in different stages of life, the power of poetry to evoke emotions and images, an exploration of the poem 'To Carelessness' by Kenneth Koch, and an analysis of the line breaks in the poem.

Takeaways

• Poetry as a Source of Connection
• The Impact of Line Breaks in Poetry

A link to the poem is here:

https://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php%3Fdate=2003%252F03%252F29.html

Theater bookstore in Chicago that we mentioned is called The Understudy: https://www.theunderstudy.com

Legendary improviser and director Mick Napier is mentioned. His website is https://www.micknapier.com

Mick founded a great improv and comedy theater in Chicago called The Annoyance: https://www.theannoyance.com

Darren's longtime friend Roberta is the retired librarian wno read a lovely children's picture book at a salon. The book was December, by Eve Bunting.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Significance of Poetry in Different Stages of Life
• 07:14 Exploring the Poem 'To Carelessness' by Kenneth Koch
• 14:09 Analyzing the Line Breaks in 'To Carelessness'

The conversation explores the idea of a poetry podcast, the concept of the poetic turn in poetry, the impact of poetry on perception, interpreting Ars Poetica, and the impact of wordless poetry. The key takeaways include the impactful and wordless nature of poetry and the concept of the poetic turn in poetry.

Takeaways

• Poetry as an impactful and wordless art
• The concept of the poetic turn in poetry

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring the Idea of a Poetry Podcast
• 07:57 The Impact of Poetry on Perception
• 13:12 The Impact of Wordless Poetry

A link to Introduction to Poetry is here: https://allpoetry.com/introduction-to-poetry

A link to Ars Poetica, by Archibald McLeish is here: https://poets.org/poem/ars-poetica