The New Yorker: Poetry Podcast – Episode Summary

Title: José Antonio Rodríguez Reads Naomi Shihab Nye
Host: Kevin Young, Poetry Editor of The New Yorker Magazine
Guest: José Antonio Rodríguez, Poet, Memoirist, and Translator
Release Date: April 17, 2024

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of The New Yorker: Poetry Podcast, hosted by Kevin Young, poetry enthusiasts are welcomed into a deep dive with guest poet José Antonio Rodríguez. Kevin introduces Rodríguez, highlighting his accolades, including the Bob Bush Memorial Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and a Discovery Award from the Writers League of Texas. Rodríguez, who teaches in the MFA program at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, sets the stage for an insightful conversation about poetry and its profound impact.

2. Exploring "World of the Future We Thirsted" by Naomi Shihab Nye

Selection and Initial Impressions:
Rodríguez shares his admiration for Naomi Shihab Nye's work, particularly drawn to the serenity and depth of her poetry. He recalls encountering "World of the Future We Thirsted" in 2019 and being captivated by its expansive title and evocative imagery.

Reading of the Poem:
At [02:37], Rodríguez delivers a poignant reading of Nye's poem:

"World of the future we thirsted.
Stripped of a sense of well being,
we downed our water from small disposable bottles,
casting the plastic to street side..."
(00:02:37)

In-Depth Analysis:
Post-reading, Kevin and Rodríguez delve into the poem's themes of environmental degradation and societal complacency. Rodríguez emphasizes the "quiet desperation" conveyed through the speaker's perspective, juxtaposing everyday actions with looming ecological crises. He highlights the poem's subtle questioning and humility, particularly noting the repetition of "never fear" at the end:

"Never fear. Never fear."
(00:06:11)

Rodríguez interprets this repetition not just as reinforcement but as a reflection of underlying insecurity, suggesting a communal effort to mask fear. Kevin adds that this repetition may paradoxically undermine its convincing power, fostering a sense of vulnerability rather than assurance.

Thematic Exploration:
The conversation touches on the poem's exploration of collective responsibility encapsulated in the "we" of the poem. Rodríguez points out how Nye implicates herself within this collective, fostering a sense of inclusivity rather than othering the reader. This approach makes the poem feel both expansive and intimately personal by its conclusion.

"Were we just assume? And so she implicates the speaker, implicates herself in the we does not separate herself from this we."
(00:06:48)

Rodríguez further discusses the poem's architectural use of sound, noting how different sounds correspond to various thematic elements, such as the "K's" in the first and last stanzas providing a melodic quality that contrasts with the poem's serious subject matter.

3. Presenting "Tender" by José Antonio Rodríguez

Introduction to the Poem:
Kevin transitions the conversation to Rodríguez's own work, specifically his poem "Tender," published in The New Yorker on August 22, 2022. Rodríguez describes "Tender" as an autobiographical piece that emerged organically, with the first draft closely resembling the final version.

Reading of the Poem:
At [16:48], Rodríguez reads his heartfelt poem:

"Tender,
Tender, thinking of how much my father loved flowering plants
and how much my mother still does, and of how unfathomably hard it
must have been to clothe and feed 10 children with the most meager
of salaries for tending to citrus orchards..."
(00:16:48)

Analyzing "Tender":
Post-reading, the discussion delves into the poem's exploration of familial love, hardship, and resilience. Rodríguez explains his intention to capture the complexity of tenderness within a challenging household, balancing moments of connection with underlying struggles.

"I was trying to braid... the different forms of tenderness within my childhood home because it wasn't always... possible."
(00:22:13)

Kevin praises the poem's structure, noting how the intensity builds towards the end, mirroring the emotional journey from connection to disconnection within the family dynamic. The use of line breaks and couplets is highlighted as a means to convey deep emotional shifts, particularly in lines like:

"Nothing to do but walk away. I swear."
(00:27:32)

Rodríguez discusses the deliberate placement of breaks to emphasize pivotal moments of emotional intensity and the intertwining of personal narrative with broader themes of community and self.

4. Concluding Insights

Throughout the episode, both hosts and guest share a profound appreciation for the power of poetry to encapsulate complex human emotions and societal issues. Rodríguez's insights into both Nye's and his own poetry offer listeners a deeper understanding of poetic devices, thematic depth, and the delicate balance between personal and collective narratives.

Final Thoughts:
Rodríguez reflects on the universality of personal experiences, emphasizing that while his poems are deeply personal, they resonate with broader human experiences. This connection underscores the enduring relevance of poetry as a medium for exploring and understanding the human condition.

For those interested in experiencing these poetic works firsthand, "World of the Future We Thirsted" by Naomi Shihab Nye and "Tender" by José Antonio Rodríguez are available on newyorker.com. Nye's recent collections include Everything Comes Next and New Poems, while Rodríguez's forthcoming collection titled The Day's Hard Edge promises to delve further into his evocative storytelling.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and analyses from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and poetry enthusiasts alike.