Podcast Summary: Garrett Hongo Reads Charles Wright The New Yorker: Poetry
Host: Kevin Young, Poetry Editor of The New Yorker Magazine
Guest: Garrett Hongo, acclaimed poet and author
Episode: Garrett Hongo Reads Charles Wright
Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The New Yorker: Poetry, hosted by Kevin Young, the poetry editor of The New Yorker, the spotlight shines on Garrett Hongo, a distinguished poet and professor at the University of Oregon. Hongo, known for his insightful works such as Ocean of Clouds and The Perfect Sound: A Memoir in Stereo, joins Kevin to explore the poetic landscapes shaped by his mentor, Charles Wright.

Choosing "Tong Notebook" by Charles Wright

[01:29] Kevin Young:
Kevin welcomes Garrett Hongo and introduces the focus of the episode: the poem "Tong Notebook" by Charles Wright. He invites Hongo to discuss his selection from the New Yorker Archive.

[01:39] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett explains his choice, highlighting his personal connection to Charles Wright, his former teacher. He shares a heartfelt anecdote:
"I bought two copies of the translations, one for myself, and then I thought I should buy one for Charles. So I bought it and then gave it to him."
Hongo emphasizes the profound influence Wright's work had on his own poetic journey, describing "Tong Notebook" as a beacon guiding his creative aspirations.

Reading of "Tong Notebook"

[04:25] Kevin Young:
Kevin introduces the reading of "Tong Notebook," praising Hongo's delivery.

[04:35] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett reads the full poem aloud, immersing listeners in its vivid imagery and contemplative tone.

Analysis of "Tong Notebook"

[08:02] Kevin Young:
After the reading, Kevin commends the poem's movement and structure, noting its "jewel-like" moments and expansive feel. He cites specific lines:
"constellation with its seven high stars is lifting its sword in the midnight I love you, dog, I love you. Remain here and lengthen your days."
Kevin inquires about the poem's duality in tone and theme.

[08:43] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett delves into the intricate structure of Wright's poetry, likening his work to a blend of American music influences—
"He wanted to write a poetry that was like the guitar playing of Doc Watson matched to the piano of Glenn Gould and the Goldberg Variations."
Hongo explains how Wright's poetic lines embody both muscular precision and a flowing musicality, creating a layered and resonant experience.

[11:10] Kevin Young:
Kevin echoes the sentiment of "double music," highlighting the toggling between eternal and immediate senses within the poem. He points out the notebook quality that balances casualness with elevation, referencing the lines:
"Fame is a mist of grief on the river waves..."
Kevin probes further into how this duality influences the poem's mood and message.

[12:33] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett discusses the profound complexity of Wright's work, emphasizing its layered nature rather than confusion. He draws parallels to ancient Chinese poetry, noting:
"He questions the ancient, even the Christian homilies and the wisdom."
Hongo illustrates how Wright navigates mortal concerns while aspiring towards transcendence, embodying a continuous unraveling of cares.

Transition to Garrett Hongo's Own Poetry

[23:57] Garrett Hongo:
After a brief interlude of advertisements and podcast promotions, the conversation resumes with Kevin introducing Hongo's own poem, "On Emptiness," published in the August 26, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.

Reading of "On Emptiness"

[25:37] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett reads his original poem "On Emptiness," a reflective piece weaving personal memories with philosophical musings.

Analysis of "On Emptiness"

[29:27] Kevin Young:
Kevin praises the poem's unique pacing and internal logic, noting its seamless blend of personal and abstract elements. He specifically mentions the transition from grand imagery to everyday references, such as:
"the colonel in command fly fished a trickle of stream"
Kevin seeks to understand how these elements knit together within the poem.

[30:08] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett attributes the poem's cohesion to lessons from Chinese poetry, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mundane and transcendent elements:
"We're interconnected. So just the stupid and the mundane even worry is a step towards the flight of a flamingo, the course of a star across the sky."
He explains how everyday experiences contribute to the soul's journey towards the sublime.

[35:08] Garrett Hongo:
Discussing specific lines, Garrett links personal rituals like morning espresso to the poem's themes, illustrating how routine acts anchor one in the present while contemplating broader existential questions.

[36:33] Kevin Young:
Kevin connects the poem's imagery to Hongo's earlier work, specifically his first book, Yellow Light, and explores the conscious references and self-referential aspects within "On Emptiness."

[37:16] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett elaborates on the layered references in his poem, intertwining personal history with literary inspirations such as Dante's Divine Comedy and Miguel Hernandez's works.
"It's a conjunction of two different images, but also the image from Yellow Light, the first poem in my first book."

The Grand Design and the Sublime

[39:16] Kevin Young:
Kevin shifts the conversation to Hongo's latest collection, Ocean of Clouds, and its place within his overarching poetic vision, particularly concerning the sublime.

[40:03] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett describes Ocean of Clouds as a "late life book," reflecting on his multicultural upbringing across Hawaii, Los Angeles, and France. He discusses the book's exploration of blended cultures and the desegregated experiences that have shaped his poetic voice:
"It's to pay homage to the differences, to the desegregated experience that I had, to the sort of porphyry of abundance that the world has to offer."

Conclusion

[42:33] Kevin Young:
Kevin thanks Garrett for the insightful conversation, appreciating the depth and interconnectedness of his poetic influences and works.

[42:41] Garrett Hongo:
Garrett expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss his poetry and the privilege of contributing to The New Yorker.

Additional Resources

Listeners interested in exploring more can find "Tong Notebook" by Charles Wright and "On Emptiness" by Garrett Hongo on newyorker.com. Charles Wright's latest book, Oblivion Baby Banjo, and Garrett Hongo's Ocean of Clouds are also available for those eager to delve deeper into their works.

Notable Quotes:

• Garrett Hongo on "Tong Notebook":
  "It has tremendous grace, tremendous music, extraordinary expansiveness, and this lavish description of landscape that was an inspiration and a kind of... pole star to guide me to where I wanted to go as a young poet."
  [03:50]

• Hongo on Double Music in Charles Wright's Poetry:
  "There’s this doubled music, the muscularity and precision of the contrapuntal Bach, but with the background of this loping easy American old time music of Doc Watson."
  [10:45]

• Hongo on the Interconnectedness of the Mundane and the Sublime:
  "We're interconnected. So just the stupid and the mundane even worry is a step towards the flight of a flamingo, the course of a star across the sky."
  [30:18]

• Hongo on Ocean of Clouds:
  "It's to pay homage to the differences, to the desegregated experience that I had, to the sort of porphyry of abundance that the world has to offer."
  [41:15]

This episode offers a profound exploration of poetic influences, personal journeys, and the intricate dance between the everyday and the transcendent, providing listeners with a deep appreciation for both Charles Wright's and Garrett Hongo's contributions to contemporary poetry.