Words by Winter

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How do we call ourselves back to the world, call others back to the world? A listener named Olivier, his voice filled with bewildered, anguished love, called in about his two children, who on two successive days last year attempted suicide. 

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

If you or someone you love are depressed or suicidal, call 1.800.273.TALK, or if you prefer texting, text NAMI to 741-741. Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese. Additional music by Kelly Krebs. Elana Bell’s beautiful poem Miracle was read by Matthew Colfax with Elana’s kind permission. It can be found in her new book "Mother Country," just out from BOA Editions this fall. For more information about Elana Bell and her work, please check out her website: elanabell.com. 

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In the depths of depression, how easy it is to forget all the ways that this life is still calling out to us. Join us for a conversation with Rocky Callen, author of the lovely novel A Breath Too Late.

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

If you or someone you love are depressed or suicidal, call 1.800.273.TALK, or if you prefer texting, text NAMI to 741-741. Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. For more info, go to alisonmcghee.com.

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Of the thousands of books on the shelves throughout my house, a solid half are unread. How many will I ever get through? Why is it so, so hard to let them go?

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today's quote is from Ulysses, by James Joyce. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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A listener in Germany writes in wondering if there's a poem for those of us who aren't fearless.

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today's poem, These Poems, by June Jordan, is read with kind permission of the publisher. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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It’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day, almost two weeks from the day that insurrectionists stormed the Capitol and partially destroyed it as they hunted down their fellow human beings. An event which makes me think of a lie I once told, many years ago. 

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today's poem, A Man May Make a Remark, by Emily Dickinson, is in the public domain. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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In a letter that might feel familiar to many, a listener named Jeanne from upstate New York writes in wondering how to find her own words, and how to put them forth into the world.

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today's poem, At the End of My Marriage, I Think of Something My Daughter Said about Trees, by the wondrous Maggie Smith, is read with kind permission of the poet. Check out her beautiful work at maggiesmithpoet.com. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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Thinking today about code words, words between people who are close to each other, words passed down over years or a lifetime that have meaning only to the people who share them.

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today’s poem, Besaydoo, by Yalie Kamara, was read with the kind permission of the poet, who also so generously read it for us. Please check out more of her beautiful work at her website, yaylala.com. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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When all is said and done, what do you hope others remember you for?

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Today's poem fragment is by the late, great Raymond Carver. Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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Words by Winter celebrates its first half year of life! Thanks to all the listeners and helpers. 

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry.  Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected]. 

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Are we really each other’s enemies? Is hatred and scorn our common enemy? Is there a way to come together? What is the answer here? What even are the questions?

Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.

Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese, with additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs. Artwork by Mark Garry. Today’s poem, from September 1, 1939, by W.H. Auden, is in the public domain.  Words by Winter can be reached at [email protected].