Summary of "Megan Fernandez Reads Hala Alyan" - The New Yorker: Poetry Podcast

Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "The New Yorker: Poetry", hosted by Kevin Young, the poetry editor of The New Yorker Magazine, Megan Fernandez joins as the featured poet. Fernandez, an accomplished author with collections like I Do Everything I'm Told and Good Boys, brings her insightful perspectives on contemporary poetry. As an associate professor of English and writer in residence at Lafayette College, Fernandez's extensive experience and awards—including fellowships from the Yado Foundation and the Hawthornden Foundation—underscore her expertise in the field.

Reading and Analysis of "Half Life in Exile" by Hala Alyan

Selection of the Poem

At [01:39], Megan Fernandez introduces her selection, "Half Life in Exile" by Hala Alyan. She shares the challenge of choosing among Alyan's exceptional works, ultimately highlighting this poem for its nuanced exploration of dehumanization and themes of banishment. Fernandez praises the poem's ability to intertwine sensual imagery with profound societal commentary without being overly didactic.

Reading the Poem

At [02:37], Fernandez delivers a powerful reading of "Half Life in Exile", setting the tone for a deep analytical discussion.

Analysis and Discussion

Kevin Young reflects at [04:19] on the poem's intricate sound patterns, highlighting the use of rhyme and half-rhyme that enhance its emotional depth. He notes the juxtaposition of botanical imagery against violent motifs, asking Fernandez how she perceives the relationship between the poem's sounds and its overarching sense.

Fernandez responds at [05:21], emphasizing Alyan’s skillful use of assonance and consonance to create tension within the poem. She points out lines like “I draw stars on receipts,” illustrating how the poet blends everyday objects with cosmic elements to convey deeper meanings.

Fernandez delves deeper into the poem's themes at [07:07]: “Everybody loves the aestheticization of violence, the eroticization of violence.” She critiques how the poem reflects society's tendency to sanitize and celebrate violence, questioning the true impact of poetry in addressing such profound issues.

At [09:14], Fernandez articulates the poet's struggle with the efficacy of poetry: “The poet's here to clean it up, but also to make it nuanced and complicated and painful.” This sentiment underscores the poem's exploration of whether artistic expression can truly instigate change or merely provide a sanitized reflection of trauma.

Quotes:

• Fernandez [01:48]: "She's one of the best writers of our generation... a lot with a lot and sort of suspending both the moment that the poem was written... also very relevant to our moment right now."
• Fernandez [05:21]: "The asymmetry of the slant. Rhyme can feel really violent."
• Fernandez [07:07]: "Everybody loves the aestheticization of violence, the eroticization of violence."

Reading and Analysis of "On youn Departure to California" by Megan Fernandez

Introduction to Her Poem

After a brief interlude, Kevin Young reintroduces the conversation, focusing on Fernandez's own work. At [19:24], Fernandez introduces her poem "On youn Departure to California", describing it as a "queer romantic friendship poem" and a "pre-grief poem" addressing a fellow poet's departure from New York.

Reading the Poem

At [19:48], Fernandez delivers a heartfelt reading of her poem, weaving together personal memories, New York landmarks, and themes of farewell and longing.

Analysis and Discussion

Kevin Young praises the poem's rich tapestry of New York references and its poignant farewell tone, particularly noting the cosmic imagery in the concluding lines. He asks Fernandez how the repetition and the oceanic finale contribute to the poem's emotional landscape.

Fernandez responds at [22:32], discussing her use of anaphora with "Prayer for..." and the influence of poets like Frank O’Hara in sanctifying everyday moments. She explains her intent to honor both the East and West Coasts, capturing the intimacy and grit of New York alongside the beauty and drama of the West Coast.

The conversation delves into the poem's backdrop of the pandemic, with Fernandez highlighting how it frames the personal loss and the blossoming of a meaningful friendship amidst global turmoil.

Quotes:

• Fernandez [19:56]: “For the sand whipped Rockaway beach where we spent a birthday and fought the wind you ran into the cold May ocean and I thought Am I gonna have to go in if she gets caught?”
• Young [21:45]: “For the dead who just want to remain dead and not dance into the speech of men.”
• Fernandez [25:00]: “Prayer for our Hart Crane…”
• Fernandez [31:15]: “Praise... it was so certain of its care... a lifting up and a kind of goodbye, which is the best kind of farewell.”

Discussion on Praise in Poetry

At [31:15], Fernandez explores the concept of praise within her poetry, describing it as an act of unconditional care and reverence rather than narrative rewriting or revenge. She emphasizes the importance of complex yet uncomplicated love in creating multidimensional poetry.

Conclusion

This episode of "The New Yorker: Poetry" offers a profound exploration of contemporary poetic themes through Megan Fernandez's insightful readings and analyses. By dissecting both Hala Alyan's "Half Life in Exile" and her own "On youn Departure to California", Fernandez illuminates the intricate interplay between personal experience, societal critique, and the enduring power of poetry to capture and process complex emotions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [01:48] Megan Fernandez: "She's one of the best writers of our generation... a lot with a lot and sort of suspending both the moment that the poem was written... also very relevant to our moment right now."
• [05:21] Megan Fernandez: "The asymmetry of the slant. Rhyme can feel really violent."
• [07:07] Megan Fernandez: "Everybody loves the aestheticization of violence, the eroticization of violence."
• [09:14] Megan Fernandez: "The poet's here to clean it up, but also to make it nuanced and complicated and painful."
• [19:56] Megan Fernandez: “For the sand whipped Rockaway beach where we spent a birthday and fought the wind you ran into the cold May ocean and I thought Am I gonna have to go in if she gets caught?”
• [21:45] Kevin Young: “For the dead who just want to remain dead and not dance into the speech of men.”
• [25:00] Megan Fernandez: “Prayer for our Hart Crane…”
• [31:15] Megan Fernandez: “Praise... it was so certain of its care... a lifting up and a kind of goodbye, which is the best kind of farewell.”

This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, providing listeners with an insightful overview of the discussions and analyses shared by Megan Fernandez and Kevin Young. The inclusion of notable quotes with timestamps offers depth and allows readers to reference specific moments within the conversation.