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 “Generosity” theme throughout 2021.
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Poems to Listen By: Moonstruck 01—The Wind and the Moon
Presented by Laurie Klein
Audio Script:
“Drink to the star-drenched latitudes,” poet Rita Dove once said, a notion so contagious I beeline to the fridge for a glass of kombucha. During the coming months, I hope you’ll consider listening with a favorite beverage in hand. I’ll be proposing a toast near the end of each episode.
Perhaps you’d like to pause the recording now and pour yourself something . . .
Today we launch our journey skyward in the company of George MacDonald, a poet well-versed in bemused possibility.
“We must risk going too far,” someone once said, “to discover just how far we can go.”
Long ago and far away, in 19th century Scotland, MacDonald whimsically imagined . . .
[The Wind and the Moon poem]
My mentor, 93-years-young, recently introduced me to that poem. In preparing to read it aloud for you, I’ve rediscovered the charm of rhymed, narrative poetry. I hope you have, too.
In closing today, I’d like to propose a toast: a few words of mine followed by those of poet Dorianne Laux:
Here’s to reading like a kid again:
“with a flashlight, bright as the moon,
a white hole blazing beneath the sheets.”
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Browse more Poems to Listen By
Photo by Rosmarie Voegtli, Creative Commons license via Flickr. “The Wind and the Moon,” by George MacDonald is in the Public domain. “Facts About the Moon”, “Moon in the Window.” Copyright © 2006 by Dorianne Laux, from Facts About the Moon by Dorianne Laux. Used by permission of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 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.
- 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
Bethany R. says
Glad to see this up today, Laurie. 🙂 I read through the transcript version and enjoyed it. Am planning to give myself the reward of listening to the audio version once I finish some less fun things on my list. 😉 Thanks for this delightful carrot. (Or rather, homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.) 😉
Laurie Klein says
Bethany, thanks for bringing this to my attention today. I’m so pleased to see the series launch. I’m delighted to think of it as a reward! Gathering the poems and piecing the episodes together felt a little like assembling a small mosaic worthy of the Rialto Bridge market, one faceted gem after another . . .
Bethany R. says
What an intriguing and fun process it must be to bring these mosaics together, Laurie (although not without a lot of work).
I just finished listening, and what a comforting treat. The moon untouched and unfazed by all that fierce wind that’s apparently against her. What does that image remind me of? Encourage me toward? Hm, thank you for this.
I do love your reading and that closing. [Raising my yellow mug of coffee] Yes, hear’s to reading like a kid again!
Looking forward to your next offering and wishing you many moments of rest in the interlude.
Laurie Klein says
Bethany, thanks for listening and leaving another comment. These thoughtful questions you pose give me pause. What might the moon show me tonight? — amid inflammatory politics, worldwide, and the raging national conversation, and this week’s fierce heat dome clamped over the West.
A dose of lunar serenity will do me good. You’ve inspired me to sit out on my deck tonight (once the temp drops below 85) and do some sipping while sky gazing . . .
This series has taken more time than the others, partly because I couldn’t secure permissions for some of my choices and then had to rework the script several times, but I’m delighted and moved by the overall depth and variety of voices.
And also by listeners like you. Thanks for your support and good wishes, and may the sweetness of summer respites envelop you as well!
Bethany says
It turned out to be just beautiful. Well done on all that arranging and reworking you did behind the scenes. (Would be fun to see a bit of your process sometime!)
I hope to step outside for a bit this evening too. Fun to think you may be doing the same.
L.L. Barkat says
“Slowly she grew ’til she filled the night.” I loved that.
This whole audio was so magical, Laurie. You made my rainy morning with it. Thank you. 🙂
(I am so delighted to have your voice in my life again!)
Laurie Klein says
And I am grateful you envisioned these audio explorations for your subscribers and invited me to create them. Many many thanks, and may the moon grace your summer nights with fresh reasons to marvel . . .
lynn__ says
I’m definitely moonstruck with this poem and your lovely reading of it, Laurie. What a treat! Cheers… for the tears and fears of our years beneath the watchful eye of the Moon Maker.
I hope to sit outside for awhile tonight to watch fireworks and stars but we may be blessed with a good thunderstorm instead…bring on the rain!
Laurie Klein says
Lynn, thank you so much for listening! So glad you enjoyed the poem.
I hope the great starfields and holiday fireworks had a chance to delight your senses before the rains fell . . .