Podcast Summary: All Of It – Poetry with Guggenheim Fellow Tracy Brimhall
Podcast Information
- Title: All Of It
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Publisher: WNYC
- Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, engaging thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work. The show celebrates the diversity of perspectives that make New York City culturally vibrant.
Episode Details
- Episode Title: Poetry with Guggenheim Fellow Traci Brimhall
- Release Date: April 29, 2025
- Duration: Approximately 29 minutes
Introduction to the Episode
Alison Stewart opens the episode by highlighting the show's celebration of National Poetry Month. She recaps previous episodes where poets like Willie Perdomo, Tracy K. Smith, and Robin Wal discussed the significance of poetry in understanding ourselves and the world. Today's guest is Tracy Brimhall, the Poet Laureate of Kansas and incoming Poet in Residence at the Guggenheim Museum. Brimhall is also a professor of English at Kansas State University and the author of Love Prodigal.
Timestamp: [00:36]
Guest Introduction and Background
Alison Stewart welcomes Tracy Brimhall, expressing excitement about her recent appointment as Poet in Residence at the Guggenheim Museum. She encourages listeners to engage by sharing their favorite poems and poets.
Timestamp: [00:36]
Tracy Brimhall responds with gratitude, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to discuss poetry with the audience.
Timestamp: [02:17]
Announcement Highlights
Alison promotes the upcoming "Get Lit with All Of It" event featuring author Leila Lalame and Moroccan musician Ima Ghanawa. She provides information on obtaining free tickets and accessing an e-copy of Lalame's book.
Timestamp: [00:36] - [02:17]
Tracy Brimhall’s Appointment as Poet in Residence
Alison Stewart inquires about Brimhall’s reaction upon learning about her residency at the Guggenheim Museum.
Timestamp: [02:19]
Tracy Brimhall shares her initial panic upon receiving the email, fearing she might have erred in her application. She describes the relief and excitement following the confirmation, emphasizing the collaborative nature of her new role compared to traditional poet laureate positions.
Timestamp: [02:55] - [04:16]
Notable Quote:
"I'm so excited for this upcoming year and getting to travel to and from New York quite a bit to do some of this programming."
— Tracy Brimhall [03:23]
Reading Habits and Rituals
Alison Stewart explores Brimhall’s habits when reading poetry.
Timestamp: [04:16]
Tracy Brimhall discusses her morning routine of reading and hand-copying poems in her journal, a practice she calls “meditating in cursive.” She explains how this method deepens her connection to the poems and enhances her understanding.
Timestamp: [04:22] - [05:15]
Notable Quote:
"Reading it aloud changes what I think I understand about it. But reshaping the poem letter by letter and getting to know every choice and every word... changes my sense of the poem and my relationship to the poem."
— Tracy Brimhall [04:36]
Influential Poets in Brimhall’s Life
Alison Stewart asks about the poets Brimhall frequently revisits.
Timestamp: [05:15]
Tracy Brimhall mentions returning to foundational poets like Emily Dickinson, John Donne, and Robert Frost, who are often first introduced to students. She also highlights contemporary poet Danusha Lamaris, emphasizing the importance of both historical and living poets in her work.
Timestamp: [05:20] - [06:13]
Notable Quote:
"I tend to find a lot of community and communion with writers I could possibly email if I ever followed up on that."
— Tracy Brimhall [06:13]
Listener Engagement and Poetry Readings
Alison Stewart invites listeners to share their favorite poems and poets via call-ins and social media.
Timestamp: [02:19]
Listener Ernest from the Bronx shares his admiration for Langston Hughes, appreciating Hughes' connection to Harlem and his travels, particularly to Africa.
Timestamp: [06:23] - [06:55]
Alison Stewart introduces Brimhall’s original poem, "Stellar Parallax," which explores themes of long-distance relationships and the celestial metaphor of stars' positions.
Timestamp: [07:36]
Tracy Brimhall reads "Stellar Parallax," showcasing her ability to intertwine personal experiences with scientific concepts.
Timestamp: [07:36] - [10:01]
Notable Excerpt from "Stellar Parallax":
"Even miles apart, we want to be close. So we step out onto cold concrete and call out constellations like vows..."
— Tracy Brimhall [07:36]
Integrating Agriculture and Literary Arts
Alison Stewart highlights Brimhall’s initiatives to merge Kansas's agricultural roots with the literary arts.
Timestamp: [10:01]
Tracy Brimhall explains that during the COVID lockdown, she developed a journaling habit focused on the five senses to combat mental fog. This practice led her to appreciate the connection between food, community, and culture. She emphasizes Kansas's significant role in food production juxtaposed with the prevalence of food insecurity, inspiring her to use the arts for social good.
Timestamp: [10:20] - [12:43]
Notable Quote:
"I teach Maya Angelou's 'Hallelujah, Welcome to the Table' in one of my literature of the body courses. And so I think about food a lot and its relationship to people and community and culture."
— Tracy Brimhall [12:43]
The Art of Handwriting and Creativity
Alison Stewart revisits the topic of handwriting and its role in creativity.
Timestamp: [12:43]
Tracy Brimhall elaborates on how handwriting engages her brain differently than typing. She describes the tactile experience of writing as a medium that facilitates creative flow, allowing her to lose track of time and deepen her creative connection.
Timestamp: [14:13] - [14:22]
Notable Quote:
"When I'm using both hands, my brain doesn't lose track of time for me in quite the same way as when I'm shaping letters by hand."
— Tracy Brimhall [13:06]
Additional Listener Calls
Listener Scott from Teaneck congratulates Brimhall on her residency, noting his own position as Poet Laureate for Teaneck, New Jersey, and his connection to Kansas.
Timestamp: [14:22] - [15:12]
Tracy Brimhall responds warmly, sharing her past residency in Harlem and her excitement about her new role.
Timestamp: [15:12] - [15:34]
Additional Poetry Reading
Before a brief hiatus, Brimhall reads another original poem titled "Love Poem Without a Drop of Hyperbole," which humorously and sincerely explores the depths and quirks of love.
Timestamp: [15:43] - [17:38]
Notable Excerpt from "Love Poem Without a Drop of Hyperbole":
"I love you like ladybugs love windowsills, Love you like sperm whales love squid... I'll keep coming back maddened, a little hopeless, embarrassingly in love."
— Tracy Brimhall [15:43]
Brimhall’s Writing Philosophy and Advice
Alison Stewart references Brimhall’s three rules for writers: read promiscuously, embrace writing badly, and commit to community. She probes deeper into these concepts.
Timestamp: [27:12] - [20:29]
Tracy Brimhall elaborates on each rule:
-
Read Promiscuously: Encourages reading across genres and mediums to inspire poetry from diverse sources, including fashion magazines and car manuals.
Quote:
"There is not a genre I can't read... bringing that romantic fantasy to poetry."
— Tracy Brimhall [18:35] -
Embrace Writing Badly: Advocates for lowering the barrier to creation by allowing oneself to write imperfectly without the pressure of producing masterpiece poetry immediately.
Quote:
"I need to embrace the bad part and give my editor brain a little task to do so that my creative side can play."
— Tracy Brimhall [20:35] -
Commitment to Community: Highlights the importance of engaging with a community of writers and readers to foster growth and support.
Quote:
"Federico Garcia Lorca said, a poet is the professor of the five senses... capturing something important about these moments."
— Tracy Brimhall [20:37]
Further Listener Engagement
Listener David from New Brunswick shares "BlackBerry Eating" by Galway Kinnell, appreciating the vivid imagery and connection to nature.
Timestamp: [23:31] - [24:52]
Listener Rebecca from Albany shares Andrew Marvell's "Definition of Love," a poem that has held sentimental value since her childhood.
Timestamp: [24:59] - [27:01]
Tracy Brimhall acknowledges these contributions, reinforcing the episode’s theme of community and shared appreciation for poetry.
The Role of the Poet in Society
Alison Stewart asks Brimhall to define the poet’s role in today’s society.
Timestamp: [27:12]
Tracy Brimhall articulates that poets, and artists broadly, should strive to comfort the afflicted and challenge the comfortable. She believes art should speak honestly, keep spirits alive, inspire dreams, and foster a sense of connectedness among individuals.
Timestamp: [27:12] - [29:01]
Notable Quote:
"I hope that other people experience an art form in some way that helps them feel less alone in the world because they can see how somebody else is experiencing the world."
— Tracy Brimhall [27:12]
Closing Remarks
Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by thanking Tracy Brimhall for her insights and readings. She reiterates the invitation for listeners to participate by sharing their favorite poems and poets.
Timestamp: [29:01] - [29:13]
Conclusion
This episode of All Of It offers a deep dive into the world of poetry through the lens of Tracy Brimhall, exploring her creative processes, her role as Poet in Residence at the Guggenheim Museum, and her philosophies on writing and reading. The episode not only showcases Brimhall’s poetic works but also fosters a sense of community by engaging listeners in sharing their own poetic favorites. Through thoughtful discussions and evocative readings, the episode underscores the enduring relevance of poetry in reflecting and shaping cultural narratives.