All Of It: Poet Tracy K. Smith Reads Live and Hears Your Favorite Poems – Detailed Summary

Released on April 18, 2025, "All Of It" is a cultural podcast hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC. This particular episode celebrates National Poetry Month, featuring renowned poet Tracy K. Smith. The episode delves into Smith's poetic journey, her inspirations, and interactions with listeners who share their favorite poems.

Introduction to National Poetry Month

Alison Stewart opens the episode by highlighting the significance of April as National Poetry Month. She references previous conversations with figures like Ricardo Maldonado of the Academy of American Poets and New York State Poet Laureate Willie Perdamo, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of poetry through various voices.

Meet Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith, a former National Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is introduced as the guest. Smith is celebrated not only for her poetry collections, including Life on Mars (2011) and Wade in the Water (2018), but also for her roles as a memorist, editor, librettist, and professor of English and African American Studies at Harvard University.

Alison Stewart ([00:39]):

"She's a memorist, an editor, a librettist. She also published several poetry collections, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Life on Mars in 2011 and Wade in the Water in 2018."

Reading from Wade in the Water

Smith begins the episode with a poignant reading from her 2018 collection.

Tracy K. Smith ([01:59]):

"Every small want, every niggling urge, every hate swollen to a kind of epic wind, livid the land and ravaged like a rageful dream..."

She explains that the poem reflects her contemplation of how mythology has historically justified harm and destruction, advocating for the creation of new myths to guide a better future.

Tracy's Love for Poetry

Alison delves into Smith's personal connection with poetry, exploring how her early exposure to the rhythmic and sonic qualities of poetry fostered a lifelong passion.

Tracy K. Smith ([04:08]):

"The energy and the rhythmic sensation, the vibration and the momentum of a poem can do something to your body and your mind... Both of those things feel like miracles to me every time I encounter them."

Smith recounts how poetry became a vessel for expressing complex ideas and emotions, serving as both a creative outlet and a means of self-discovery.

Influence of Lucille Clifton

The conversation shifts to the late poet Lucille Clifton, whom Smith cites as a significant inspiration. She praises Clifton's ability to convey profound cosmic themes through concise and powerful language.

Tracy K. Smith ([05:32]):

"Her poems put you in dialogue with what feels like the farthest reaches of the universe."

Smith shares personal anecdotes about learning from Clifton, emphasizing the importance of connecting with broader historical and mythological contexts to navigate life's complexities.

Listener Interaction: Jason Applebaum

Jason Applebaum from Brooklyn joins the conversation, sharing one of his own poems titled "Can We Fly?" Smith offers heartfelt feedback, commending the poem's imaginative exploration of boundaries and sensory experiences.

Tracy K. Smith ([08:56]):

"I love your poem. I love all of the borders and boundaries that your poem pushes past and imagines..."

Reading "Beatific" from Wade in the Water

Smith reads "Beatific," a poem that serves as a thought experiment on responding differently to everyday interactions.

Tracy K. Smith ([09:11]):

"I watch him bob across the intersection, squat legs bowed in black sweatpants... Wait for this man, wait for him."

She explains that the poem encapsulates moments of revelation and introspection, encouraging readers to find deeper meaning in mundane experiences.

Listener Interaction: Spencer from Greenpoint

Spencer Applebaum from Greenpoint shares the poem "Apartment Living" by Megan O'Rourke. The poem vividly captures the nuanced emotions and observations of urban life.

Tracy K. Smith's Feedback ([08:56]):

"I love the new dimension of feeling and sensing that your poem brings in."

Listener Interaction: Carol from Lynbrook

Carol from Lynbrook presents "The Mockingbird" by Charles Bukowski. The poem narrates the relentless pursuit of a mockingbird by a cat, symbolizing themes of survival and loss.

Reading "The Daybreakers" by Arna Bontem

Smith introduces and reads "The Daybreakers" by Arna Bontem, a poet associated with the Harlem Renaissance. She highlights the poem's message of purposeful and peaceful activism.

Tracy K. Smith ([17:14]):

"It's about something purposeful and practical and calm... making a new day possible, beating away for the rising sun."

Smith praises the poem for its timeless resonance and its embodiment of the enduring power of words to effect change.

Listener Interaction: Carol from Upper West Side

Another Carol from the Upper West Side acknowledges the MTA for featuring poems on subways, appreciating how these public displays introduce poetry to a broader audience. She shares that she often photographs these poems, valuing their accessibility and impact.

Advice for Aspiring Poets

Alison seeks Smith's guidance for listeners interested in pursuing poetry.

Tracy K. Smith ([20:01]):

"Find a poem that you like that has made you feel surprised or reminded you of something that you hadn't thought of or felt in a long time and then spend time looking at the specific choices that writer makes."

Smith encourages budding poets to dissect and understand the craft behind impactful poetry, fostering their own creative exploration.

Conclusion

Alison wraps up the episode by thanking Smith for her contributions and reminding listeners to engage with poetry in their lives. Smith extends her gratitude, reiterating the celebration of National Poetry Month.

Tracy K. Smith ([20:44]):

"Happy National Poetry Month."

This episode of "All Of It" not only showcases the profound artistry of Tracy K. Smith but also fosters a community of poetry enthusiasts who share and celebrate their favorite works. Through readings, personal anecdotes, and listener interactions, the episode encapsulates the essence of poetry as a transformative and unifying cultural force.