Poems are just arrangements of sounds, marks on a page. But the right one can change history, outlast civilizations, and turn a respectable men into wandering vagabonds. 

In this episode: poetry, why we need it, and how a 13th century love affair changed it forever.

Ten Life-changing Poems (For People Who Don't Read Poetry)

1. "A Brief for the Defense" Jack Gilbert
2. "I Imagine the Gods" Jack Gilbert
3. "Lost" David Wagoner
4. "Otherwise" Jane Kenyon
5. "The Guest House" Jalaluddin Rumi
6. "The Summer Day" Mary Oliver
7. "Wild Geese" Mary Oliver
8. "Hope Is The Thing With Feathers" Emily Dickinson
9. "God Says Yes to Me" Kaylin Haught
10. "Dog's Death" John Updike