25 Comments

Fascinating discussion! Definitely with Gioia on the sound and musicality being the key aspect of poetry. Definitely true in my case.

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Yes and heartfelt thanks for subscribing and reading/listening ...

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Beautiful and flowing conversation. It reminds me of the old Charlie Rose interviews (am I allowed to mention Charlie Rose anymore?), which are truly dialogues and so generous to listeners. Thanks to both of you for the generosity.

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Thank you so, Samuel--and I think we can talk about Charlie Rose---no matter what happened to him personally--his interviews were well-researched and remain a staple of on-air conversations.

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I love everything here, Mary. I remember his 1991 essay. Wonderful questions and so much to think about.

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Indeed. So glad you read and thought even before your coffee. Thank you as well for the restack.

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Thank you for this interview, Mary. It was such a pleasure to read something so humanities-affirming.

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Such a beautiful interview! I really enjoyed this. Thank you, Mary!

"When poetry loses its ability to enchant and almost hypnotize the reader into an emotional bond with it, it loses the magic that great poetry needs." I love that.

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Gioia, a joy--bad rhyme: Thank you, Jeffrey. I've ben a bit off due to a surgery and yesterday found out all is fine. Do forgive any posts I missed while out of the game. xo

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Glad to hear all is well! xo

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So enriching. Thanks, Mary.

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So kind, Adrian.

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Mary, a wonderful interview. I saved it, to go back to, probably many times. I’m fascinated by the change in Elizabeth Bishop’s reputation. I’ve loved her forever, and can’t imagine her teaching to only a handful of students. And now, she’s revered. That’s only a small part of this rich, wide-ranging conversation. Thank you.🙏

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Oh how lovely, Mary. Thank you so ... more to come ...

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Can’t wait!❤️

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Great interview, Mary, thanks for posting. I love honing in on the word first rather than the whole. I appreciate poetry more. I wish my kids had been exposed to poetry for its beauty and necessity rather than decrypt it for final exams.

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I so agree, Isabelle. Someone I once taught told me he couldn't read poetry until he studied with me because he kept being asked in high school things like, "Explain the rope" in an Emily Dickinson poem (I can't figure our which one), but what a terrible way to teach poetry and turn off readers who could learn by feeling not explaining.

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I couldn't agree more about the teaching of poetry. Children should be taught to experience a poem; that's where the joy (or the pain) is.

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Yes, so glad you agree. Thank you for staying connected and taking time to comment.

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You're welcome, Mary.

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Wonderful interview, Mary. The poem Ulysses its also quoted in Succession by the patriarch Logan Roy. I think he mutters the fragment "matched with an aged wife." If Logan is supposed to be a stand-in for Rupert Murdoch, then I'd say that's on the nose!

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I recall that, David, and was struck by the very fact that Tennyson was used in this terrific show. BTW, I've been a little slow to check on your essays because I had to have some scary surgery that yesterday I learned: all fine! I'll be back, my friend.

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No worries, Mary. Glad all turned out well.

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Fantastic interview, Mary. Thank you for sharing! I had a professor who did the same for me regarding Donne; it wasn't until I understood every single word that I truly "got it". It stuck with me, and I continue to keep a dictionary with me whenever I am reading.

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Soul mates, Tim!

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