Editor’s Note: “Poems to Listen By” is an audio series where over time we will explore some of the themes in the Poet Laura checklist, as well as Tweetspeak’s “Year of Wisdom” theme throughout 2020.
_______
Poems to Listen By: Heart & Soil 01—What Are Poets For
Presented by Laurie Klein
Audio Script:
Welcome to Tweetspeak’s “Poems to Listen By.” I’m Laurie Klein, delighted to introduce our new series, “Heart & Soil.” You might think of this as an audio collage of poems and global proverbs, with occasional quotations and questions.
Amid the current social isolation many of us are finding solace in poems. Some might ask: Is poetry relevant when our world is in lockdown?
“What Are Poets For”: That’s a poem by Meredith Stricker. And it suggests there is a possible answer.
[What Are Poets For]
I wonder: What version of light might be pouring itself in your direction? I hope you’ll write about it.
You’ve just heard “What Are Poets For,” by Meredith Stricker.
I’m Laurie Klein. Thanks for listening!
Poetry Prompt
Consider the “version of light” you might be experiencing. How does the light play on the objects around you? Are the results enlivening? Whimsical? Ominous? What emotions does it evoke? Write a poem capturing these images and share it with us.
Photo by Davide Gabino, Creative Commons license via Flickr. “Under the Black Oaks” used with permission of the poet. Audio and script by Laurie Klein with thanks to Pat Stien for direction. “Simple Gifts” (public domain). Musical performance, recording, and mastering, by Bill Klein.
“What Are Poets For,” by Meredith Stricker, 2020 winning broadside entry, published by Ruminate. Used by the author’s permission. Copies of the broadside are available for purchase here.
Browse more Poems to Listen By
- Poems to Listen By: Yondering—7: When You Came Back - April 16, 2025
- Poems to Listen By: Yondering—6: Restricted Travel - March 26, 2025
- Poems to Listen By: Yondering—5: Upon Arrival - March 12, 2025
Jody Collins says
That was beautiful, Laurie–words and music both (Simple Gifts is one of my favorite tunes.)
I wrote this poem the other day sitting in my “morning chair” in our spare room, paying attention the way the light was playing with the clouds outside and also floating into the room. This turned out to be a metaphorical reflection on some particular family challenges.
Behind the Scenes
Slatish sky sits above lace-edged trees,
hides the-morning-that-is-always-there.
Illumination pours through changing strata
a lessened light to brighten my room.
Yesterday’s cobalt canvas obscured, I
remember the singular golden globe
against the morning’s Heavens.
So changed is this view but no less
true–even though I cannot see it,
the sun is always shining.
Laurie says
Jody, hello!
How timely, this opportunity to read your recent poem, this particular illumination pouring in your direction . . . and now, ours as well.
Thank you!
Rick Maxson says
Laurie, you are a testament as to why poetry should be read aloud, even when we are alone with no one else listening. Of course, having a poem read by someone so good at it as you are adds a beautiful dimension.
Laurie Klein says
Even—maybe especially—then. All by one’s lonesome . . . savoring the wise and winsome. You remind me to read aloud to myself not just to road-test something I’m writing but to enter the music of others more often. I’ve become too practical. I see that now.
Thanks, Rick.
ps I have always been partial to that word, “testament.” 🙂