Category Archives: Poetry Club

Poetry Club Talks…Sylvia Plath Pt1

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-svhn7-118d091 Topic: Sylvia Plath Pt1 Host: Mike Poem: “Mad Girl’s Love Song” and “Ella Mason and Her Eleven Cats” Recorded: January 20, 2022 Sylvia Plath Poems This week Poetry Club takes on the work and life of Sylvia Plath, an American poet (October 27, 1932 – February 11, 1963).  Poetry Club looks past her “sad girl” personaContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Sylvia Plath Pt1”

Poetry Club Talks…Seamus Heaney Part 3

Mike puts on the host hat in this third discussion on Seamus Heaney’s poetry, using the book “Seamus Heaney” by Helen Vendler as a guide.  The poem this time is “St. Kevin and the Blackbird”.  Heaney documents the folklore of a monk with intense control over body and mind that he held out his arm and opened his hand to be used as a tree branch for a nesting blackbird.

Poetry Club Talks…Seamus Heaney Pt1

Ron hosts the discussion of one of his favorite poets, Seamus Heaney.  Seamus Justin Heaney, born April 1939 – died August 30, 2013, was an Irish poet, playwright, and translator. He received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature.  We look at the created word pictures and word choice, share about the life and awards of this famous poet.

Poetry Club Talks…Love Poems, Frost and Pastan

Ron hosts this stimulating discussion seeking the answer of what constitutes a love poem.  The group considers three unlikely, not typical love poems by Robert Frost and Linda Pastan.  What elements tell the reader they are about love or expressing love?  

Poetry Club Talks…Jane Hirshfield

Touching on these topics, we select three of our favorite poems of Jane’s to discuss.  Join us for an exciting look into the poetry of Jane Hirshfield.

Poetry Club Talks…Understanding Poetry, Rita Dove Part 3

Have you ever read a poem and wondered “What does this mean?”  Do you need to understand a poem to appreciate it?  If it takes too much work to understand do you turn the page or enjoy the challenge?  If you’ve found yourself in these situations then join the club.  Poetry Club discusses how to and should we understand poetry.  The poem we use as an example is the “blushing” Rita Dove poem “Exit”.  

Poetry Club Talks…Rita Dove Part 2

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-qfgsq-10a92c0 Topic: Rita Dove Host: Shannon Poem: “American Smooth” and “Ludwig Von Beethoven’s Return To Vienna” Recorded: July 30, 2021 Rita Dove – Poems Discussed In part two of our discussion on American poet Rita Dove, Poetry Club relishes in her artistry, wonder word choices, and lament over the life portrayed of Beethoven.  We discuss the useContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Rita Dove Part 2”

Poetry Club Talks…Rita Dove Part 1

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jfk76-109c269 Topic: Rita Dove Host: Shannon Poem: “Rusks” Recorded: July 24, 2021 Rita Dove – Poems Discussed Shannon hosts the discussion on the well-known modern American poet Rita Dove.  Playing “devil’s advocate,” Shannon asks, “Do award-winning poets write amazing poetry—consistently?”  Perhaps you’ve wondered this yourself while reading a famous poem? If you remove the famousContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Rita Dove Part 1”

Poetry Club Talks…with Rena Priest

Special guest poet Rena Priest joins Poetry Club for a discussion today!  Ron asks Rena about her composition process, how does narrative defines the poetic impulse for her and helps shape her poems, what the Washington Poet Laureate interview was like, and more.  Afterward, the discussion opens up to the group for a short Q & A.  Please join us!