RVA Loves Poetry

How can we find meaning in an imperfect world? Join host Naomi as she explores “O Me! O Life!” by Walt Whitman, a renowned poem that reflects on life's disappointments and uncertainties while ultimately affirming the value of individual purpose, presence, and contribution. Find the full text of "O Me! O Life!" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Walt Whitman on th...

Can something bitter still remind us of innocence? Join hosts Deacon and Kayden as they explore Landis Everson's "Lemon Tree", a thought-provoking poem that reimagines the story of Eden through the surprising symbolism of a single tree. Find the full text of "The Lemon Tree" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Landis Everson on the Poetry Foundation website ⁠⁠ ⁠he...

Why do some journeys call to us more powerfully than comfort ever can? Join host Jerry as he examines "Sea-Fever", a lyrical poem that celebrates the restless spirit and the enduring allure of life at sea. Find the full text of "Sea-Fever" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information and more great poems from John Masefield on the Poetry Foundation website ⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠ .

How can a poem make you laugh and wince at the same time? Join hosts Addison and Marya as they delve into "A Fairly Sad Tale," where Dorothy Parker's signature wit transforms romantic frustration into a delightfully self-deprecating reflection. Find the full text of "A Fairly Sad Tale" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠here⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Dorothy Parker on t...

When so much feels beyond our control, what remains within our power? Join hosts Ben and Drew as they analyze Marcus Jackson's "Heedful Hold", a poem that journeys through fear and loss before finding hope in the deliberate act of caring for the next generation. Find the full text of "Heedful Hold" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Marcu...

What if the life everyone envies isn't the life anyone truly understands? Join hosts Gabe and James as they examine "Richard Cory", a poem that reveals the hidden costs of admiration and the dangers of judging a life from the outside. Find the full text of "Richard Cory" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information and more great poems from Edwin Arlington Robinson on the P...

Would you step into a river if you couldn't see what waited beneath the surface? Join host Asli as she dives into Aaron Coleman's "The Broken Man's Permission", a vivid poem where a river becomes a place of fear, reflection, and the fragile hope of remaining whole. Find the full text of "The Broken Man's Permission" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information...

Why do people need one another to heal? Join hosts Lexi and Reece as they explore “About Standing (in Kinship)” by Kimberly Blaeser, a moving poem that suggests sorrow, like a broken bone, often finds healing through closeness, support, and community. Find the full text of "About Standing (in Kinship)" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Kimberly Blaeser...

What might we discover if we listened more carefully to the world around us? Join host Daniel as he examines a vivid poem by Njeri Wangari that uses the sounds and movements of nature to inspire wonder, while offering a playful critique of the noise and distractions of human society. Find the full text of "Ũrĩ Waigua (Have you ever Heard)" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and...

What does it mean to carry someone in your heart after they are gone? Join hosts Matthew and Willie as they explore “End of April” by Phillis Levin, a reflective poem that uses vivid natural imagery to reveal how memories of a loved one can remain alive within us, bringing both comfort and sorrow. Find the full text of "End of April" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more g...

How can a simple moment between a parent and child become a lifelong lesson in love? Join host Tephillah as she examines “The Gift” by Li-Young Lee, a memorable poem that reflects on a father's gentle care and demonstrates how compassion and love can be passed from one generation to the next. Find the full text of "The Gift" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information and more great...

How do we find our way when there is no clear roadmap for life? Join hosts Asafe and Min as they discuss “Do You Have Any Advice for Those of Us Just Starting Out?” by Ron Koertge, a charming poem that offers unconventional guidance for navigating life, reminding readers to remain curious, adventurous, and open to joy. Find the full text of "Do You Have Any Advice For Those of Us Just Startin...

What is the most meaningful gift a person can offer someone they love? Join host Aviana as she explores “I Am Offering This Poem” by Jimmy Santiago Baca, a heartfelt poem in which the speaker offers words of love and comfort, suggesting that genuine care can be more valuable than any material possession. Find the full text of "I Am Offering This Poem" ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional info...

What happens when tragedy strikes, but no one seems to notice? Join host Grace as she explores “Musée des Beaux Arts” by W. H. Auden, a reflective poem inspired by a painting of Icarus that shows how extraordinary suffering can unfold unnoticed amid the routines of everyday life. Find the full text of "Musée des Beaux Arts" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find Pieter Breugel's famous painting, whi...

Join hosts Amy and Carrie as they explore “Forgotten Planet” by Doug Dorph, a reflective poem that traces a father's journey from nostalgia to renewal as his daughter's imagination reminds him that the world is still full of mystery, possibility, and delight. Find the full text of "Forgotten Planet" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠.

How do we decide what truly deserves our time and attention? Join host Andrew as he explores “You Want a Social Life, with Friends” by Kenneth Koch, a witty poem that reflects on the difficulty of pursuing success while also making room for friendship, love, and the simple joys of living. Find the full text of "You Want a Social Life, with Friends" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional inform...

Can we choose our attitude even when we cannot choose our circumstances? Join hosts Nael and Yijoon Mae as they unpack“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, a memorable poem that reflects on the power of the human spirit, encouraging readers to face adversity with courage, conviction, and resolve. Find the full text of "Invictus" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information about William E...

How can feeling small make us feel more connected to the world around us? Join hosts Gavin and Samuel as they explore “The Widening Sky” by Edward Hirsch, a reflective poem that follows a solitary walk along the beach and reveals how moments of humility and wonder can open the heart to an unexpectedly vast love. Find the full text of "The Widening Sky" ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional i...

How do we remember who we are and where we belong? Join hosts Bora and Hakyung as they explore “Remember” by Joy Harjo, an uplifting poem that invites readers to recognize their place within the natural world and to cherish the relationships that sustain them. Find the full text of "Remember" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more great poems from Joy Harjo on her website...

How do we respond to the fact that every life must eventually come to an end? Join hosts Isaiah and Joseph as they analyze “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, a renowned villanelle that examines mortality while celebrating humanity's enduring desire to live fully and fiercely. Find the full text of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" ⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find addi...

How does it feel to have nowhere left to belong? Join hosts Eden and Hope as they discuss “Refugee Blues” by W.H. Auden, a haunting poem that portrays the struggles of refugees who are repeatedly denied safety and acceptance, reminding readers of the importance of compassion and shared humanity. Find the full text of "Refugee Blues" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information and more...

How different are we from the people we are taught to fight? Join host Jonah as he explores “The Man He Killed” by Thomas Hardy, a reflective poem that blurs the line between friend and foe, reminding readers of the shared humanity that war often obscures. Find the full text of "The Man He Killed" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information and more great poems from Thomas Hardy on the P...

How do people move forward after losing a leader they deeply admired? Join hosts Eun Hyul and Luke as they explore “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman, a famous elegy that captures the sorrow of celebrating a hard-won victory while mourning the death of the leader who helped make it possible. Find the full text of "O Captain! My Captain!" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Find additional information...

How does a long illness reshape the rhythms of love, care, and everyday life? Join hosts Jordan and Malachi as they consider “Her Long Illness” by Donald Hall, a reflective poem that portrays the emotional and physical toll of prolonged illness while revealing the quiet devotion, patience, and enduring love that sustain a relationship through difficult seasons. Find the full text of "Her Long...

How can music and repetition help us make sense of life's joys and sorrows? Join host Neema as she explores “God of Song” by Tracy K. Smith, a poem which reveals a mother's abiding love and admiration for her young son's musical spirit. Find the full text of "God of Song" ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠ here ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find additional information about Tracy K. Smith on her website .