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 03—A Pause in the Sky
Presented by Laurie Klein
Audio Script:
Welcome! This is Poems to Listen By. I’m Laurie Klein, your reader and host for our new series: Moonstruck.
Timewise, a single day on the moon correlates to a whopping 29 days on earth—an entire leap-year February. Just imagine a lunar Valentine’s Day: ongoing wine and roses, candles and chocolates and cards . . . oh my!
No wonder we earthlings, when separated, write love poems. I hope you’ll treat yourself to the poem World, by Dame Carol Ann Duffy, written to a beloved on the far side of the planet.
In praise of timeless love, here is Gregory Orr’s untitled poem:
[untitled poem]
How well we all know that time and emotional distance can also painfully widen between lovers. From Kelli Russell Agodon, this is The Moon Is a Comma, a Pause in the Sky.
[The Moon Is a Comma,
a Pause in the Sky]
I’d like to raise the gentlest of toasts today to love: its attractions as well as polarities. Poet Tess Gallagher provides the image:
Friends, here’s to the hope of “two moon-bright windows, seen after dark, across a field.”
You’ve just heard “The Moon is a Comma, a Pause in the Sky,” by Kelli Russell Agodon and Gregory Orr’s untitled poem.
I’m Laurie Klein. Thanks for listening!
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Photo by Lukas Schlagenhauf, Creative Commons license via Flickr. Untitled poem, by Gregory Orr, from How Beautiful the Beloved, Copper Canyon Press, 2009. Used by permission. “The Moon is a Comma, a Pause in the Sky” by Kelli Russell Agodon, from Letters from the Emily Dickinson Room, White Pine Press, Copyright ©2010. Used by permission, The Permissions Company, LLC. “World,” by Dame Carol Ann Duffy. 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—1: H. G. Who? - October 9, 2024
- Poems to Listen By: Buoyancies—7: The Survivor Rises - August 28, 2024
- Poems to Listen By: Buoyancies—6: Trust - July 3, 2024
Bethany R. says
Beautifully put, Laurie, I love how this is woven together. And wow, a moon-day is a leap-month? Fascinating.
I’m lingering in the afterburn of Tess Gallagher’s image. Thank you for bringing it into my view tonight. You’re a bit like an artisan firework technician creating shows for us—in a time when we really need them.
Laurie Klein says
Bethany, your words are a gift today, luminous, heartening—and humbling. I am so grateful.
You’ve got me thinking about “afterburn” and “fireworks” and “lingering” in a whole new way.
Bethany R. says
Happy our words and thoughts get to cross paths here, Laurie. 🙂
Laurie Klein says
me too!
I’ve been thinking about your words on and off all day . . . : > )
Katie Brewster says
Laurie,
Thank you for this lovely gentle respite in my day:)
Gratefully,
Katie
Laurie Klein says
Katie, I so appreciate hearing from you. Thank you for settling in with the poems and letting them spill their gentle magic . . .