The New Yorker: Poetry – Amy Woolard Reads Charles Wright
Hosted by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Release Date: May 15, 2024

Introduction

At the onset of the episode, Kevin Young, the poetry editor of The New Yorker Magazine, welcomes listeners to The New Yorker: Poetry Podcast (00:59). He introduces the guest for this episode, Amy Woolard—a multifaceted figure known not only for her acclaimed debut poetry collection, Neck of the Woods, which won the 2018 Alice James Award, but also for her roles as a civil rights attorney and the Chief Program Officer for the ACLU of Virginia. Woolard is celebrated for her fellowships from prestigious institutions such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont Studio Center.

Kevin Young:
"On this program, we invite a poet to choose a poem from the New Yorker Archive to read and discuss. Then they read one of their poems that's been published in the magazine. My guest today is the writer Amy Woolard..." (00:59)

Amy Woolard:
"Thank you so much, Kevin. I really appreciate the invitation to be here." (01:44)

Reading of Charles Wright’s "Via Negativa"

Kevin introduces the poem chosen by Woolard, "Via Negativa" by Charles Wright, affectionately referred to by Woolard as her "poetry dad." She shares her personal connection with Wright, highlighting his influence during her undergraduate years at the University of Virginia.

Amy Woolard:
"What caught my eye is that it's written by Charles Wright, who is someone I call affectionately my poetry dad... He taps into that ghost world he taps into in the music that he creates in those lines." (01:58)

Woolard proceeds to read the poem aloud, capturing its contemplative and spiritual essence.

Via Negativa by Charles Wright
Timestamp: 02:59

Discussion on "Via Negativa"

Post-reading, Kevin delves into the nuances of Wright's poem, commending its classic elements and intricate form. He highlights Wright's unique voice—a blend of Southern rhythm and profound spirituality.

Kevin Young:
"I love what you said about... the drawl of his lines and that spirituality that he taps into that ghost world... something beautiful about that..." (06:48)

Woolard elaborates on Wright's distinctive voice, likening it to "old fashioned letter writing" infused with informal, spoken sentiments that evoke a deep sense of place and emotion.

Amy Woolard:
"Right. I think it's just what I love so much about his voice... It feels very southern to me." (08:07)

The conversation further explores the poem's language—its juxtaposition of high and low diction, and the seamless amalgamation of profound concepts with everyday imagery.

Kevin Young:
"How is he able this poem and another's to kind of have that mix of raiment and char scraps and everlasting... the angel of the serpent that never arrives." (08:02)

Woolard reflects on Wright's pursuit of the unspeakable through landscape as a spiritual medium, emphasizing the poem's thematic depth and personal resonance.

Amy Woolard:
"I understand it through Charles as a means of... treating landscape almost as a kind of medium, a spiritual medium to the unknowable." (16:01)

The discussion concludes with reflections on the poem's declaration-like statements and fractured juxtapositions, which collectively explore the eternal quest for meaning beyond the tangible.

Amy Woolard:
"He sort of rests inside that. That rapture... meeting them where they are." (19:33)

Introduction to Amy Woolard’s "Late Shift"

Transitioning from Wright’s work, Kevin introduces Woolard’s own poem, "Late Shift", featured in the March 18, 2024 issue of The New Yorker. Woolard provides context about her manuscript "Wage," which delves into her twelve-year experience working in precarious industries within Charlottesville's restaurant scene.

Amy Woolard:
"I spent about 12 years... working in restaurants, working in precarious industries... It's a love letter to Charlottesville and to the people I worked with." (20:06)

She shares the profound impact of her poem, noting the heartfelt responses from former restaurant employees who saw themselves reflected in her work.

Reading of "Late Shift"

Amy Woolard reads her poem "Late Shift", a vivid portrayal of the late-night work environment, capturing both its camaraderie and inherent challenges.

Late Shift by Amy Woolard
Timestamp: 21:13

Discussion on "Late Shift"

Post-reading, Kevin and Woolard delve into the poem's themes of precarity, community, and the almost sacred nature of shift work. They examine the poem’s form—couplets that balance deliberate structure with emotional depth—and Woolard’s influences, including old-school rap and jazz, which inform the poem's rhythm and musicality.

Kevin Young:
"What is guiding us isn't that sense of place, though there is a sense of place here, but also a sense of time." (30:33)

Woolard explains her use of couplets as a homage to a close friend who passed away, symbolizing the fragmented nature of memory and loss.

Amy Woolard:
"I think the couplets are really still an homage to her... the duality of being in this world and being able to exist outside of it at the same time." (32:00)

They discuss the poem's pacing and structure, with Woolard emphasizing the importance of each line standing independently while contributing to the poem's overarching narrative.

Amy Woolard:
"A foundational piece of what I was taught is to be deliberate in writing a line, that a line should hold up on its own no matter what." (34:00)

Kevin draws parallels between Woolard's work and classical forms, noting the heroic undertones and the interplay of the ordinary with the extraordinary.

Kevin Young:
"There is something in this poem that is a little bit heroic... pairing of the ordinary and the extraordinary." (33:54)

Woolard reflects on her writing process, balancing spontaneity with deliberate craftsmanship to create a poem that feels both impromptu and meticulously crafted.

Amy Woolard:
"It feels like a bit of a tumble, a bit of an unraveling." (35:03)

The conversation concludes with Woolard discussing her manuscript "Wage," detailing her approach to compiling a collection that honors her experiences while acknowledging the precariousness of the work environment.

Amy Woolard:
"I try to manifest it... Wage felt like the title. Like, once I had it, it felt certain." (38:44)

Conclusion

Kevin commends Woolard’s ability to interweave personal narrative with broader social themes, expressing anticipation for her forthcoming collection. He wraps up by providing information on where listeners can find both poems and further works by Woolard and Wright.

Kevin Young:
"Late Shift by Amy Woolard, as well as Charles Wright's Via Negativa, can be found on newyorker.com... Amy Woolard's latest collection is Neck of the Woods." (39:15)

Amy Woolard expresses gratitude for the discussion, and the episode concludes with credits and additional podcast recommendations.

Notable Quotes:

• Amy Woolard on "Via Negativa":
  "Our prayers like raiment, like char scraps rising without us into an everlasting which goes on without us." (05:42)

• Kevin Young on Poetic Form:
  "They are knifelike." (34:01)

• Amy Woolard on Writing Process:
  "I try to make that branch as long as I can before it breaks under that weight." (34:00)

Further Listening:

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The New Yorker Poetry Podcast for more engaging conversations and poetic readings. Additional content includes The Writer's Voice and the Political Scene podcast, expanding the rich tapestry of The New Yorker's literary and journalistic offerings.

This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, thematic explorations, and insightful reflections shared between Kevin Young and Amy Woolard.