Totally Booked with Zibby: Episode Summary Featuring Owen Lewis and A Prayer of Six Wings

Episode Title: Owen Lewis, A PRAYER OF SIX WINGS
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Owen Lewis, Author of A Prayer of Six Wings

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this poignant episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes poet and psychiatrist Owen Lewis to discuss his latest poetry collection, A Prayer of Six Wings. The conversation delves deep into the emotional and historical underpinnings of Lewis's work, offering listeners a compelling exploration of trauma, memory, and resilience within the Jewish experience.

2. Guest Introduction: Owen Lewis

Zibby Owens introduces Owen Lewis, highlighting his impressive accolades and professional background:

• Author of Four Poetry Collections and Three Chapbooks
• Honors Include:
  • 2024 E.E. Cummings Prize
  • 2023 Guernsey International Poetry Prize
  • 2023 Rumi Prize for Poetry
  • International Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine
  • Jean Pedrick Chapbook Award at Columbia University
• Profession: Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Medical Humanities and Ethics, specializing in narrative medicine

Timestamp: 03:04

3. Discussion of A Prayer of Six Wings

Inspiration and Themes

Owen Lewis begins by explaining the profound impact of the events of October 7th on his work. The simultaneous personal and collective trauma experienced during this time serves as the foundation for his poetry collection.

Notable Quote:

“...having a daughter who lives in Israel, two grandchildren, then three now... it felt like the war was not just a distant war, but was really being fought right here in New York.”
— Owen Lewis 03:49

Personal Experiences

Lewis shares his personal fears and anxieties as a father and grandfather, emphasizing how these emotions permeate his poetry. His close ties to Israel and the broader Jewish community provide a deeply personal lens through which he views the conflict.

Notable Quote:

“These are my cousins... my first poem begins with 'these are my cousins,' reflecting both personal and collective loss.”
— Owen Lewis 03:56

Incorporation of News Headlines

Lewis employs a technique he describes as "poetic journalism," interspersing actual news headlines throughout his poems to create a temporal and emotional timeline of the events. This method serves to juxtapose objective reporting with subjective emotional responses.

Notable Quote:

“I was obsessed with headlines. What now? What now? What's today? So interspersing those headlines... was a way of recording somewhat objectively, but subjectively.”
— Owen Lewis 08:48

Capturing Fear and Emotions

Through his verses, Lewis captures the pervasive fear and uncertainty experienced during the conflict. He articulates the struggle to verbalize complex emotions, providing listeners with a visceral understanding of the psychological toll.

Notable Quote:

“You have this short poem called 'Overheard in a New York Restaurant.' It’s like you capture the moment... nobody knows how to get through this time.”
— Zibby Owens 07:31

Specific Poems and Scenes

Zibby Owens and Owen Lewis discuss specific poems from the collection, including poignant scenes that illustrate the intersection of personal grief and collective trauma.

• "Overheard in a New York Restaurant": Depicts the internal conflict of wanting to discuss Israel amidst surrounding turmoil.
• Granddaughter’s Birthday Party Scene: Illustrates the innocence of children juxtaposed with the harsh realities of conflict.

Notable Quote:

“Did you know that 'Hoopoes are the national bird of Israel' and 'the blue and white' represent...?”
— Owen Lewis 13:45

Sample Poem Excerpt:

"A belief in order poem that you wrote. You say a belief in order. My daughter returns to bring music to a stunned country... finally, 'the strings full timber, seeking the autumn garden's blue muscari...'"
— Zibby Owens reading Owen’s poem 12:53

4. The Intersection of Lewis's Medical Career and Poetry

Owen Lewis discusses how his dual roles as a psychiatrist and poet intertwine, enriching both his clinical work and creative endeavors. His focus on narrative medicine highlights the therapeutic potential of storytelling and creativity in healing.

Notable Quote:

“Listening and words being my vehicle of hearing, of healing and hearing. ... Poetry, creativity comes out of play and that kind of open space where anything is possible.”
— Owen Lewis 23:42

5. Reflections on Jewish Identity and Trauma

Lewis delves into the complexities of Jewish identity, historical trauma, and the ongoing struggle for coexistence and peace. He emphasizes the importance of recording these experiences through poetry to preserve collective memory and foster understanding.

Notable Quote:

“I think looking a bit to their poetry is also a way... deep listening and poetry is one vehicle into that listening that paves the way for real peace, not just a ceasefire.”
— Owen Lewis 21:11

6. Final Thoughts

Zibby Owens concludes the interview by expressing deep appreciation for Owen Lewis's ability to articulate inexpressible emotions through his poetry. She acknowledges the beauty and depth his work brings to understanding complex emotional landscapes.

Notable Quote:

“Thank you very much and thanks for chatting with me.”
— Zibby Owens 27:38

Closing Remark by Owen Lewis:

“Thank you so much for having me.”
— Owen Lewis 27:55

Conclusion

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Owen Lewis, providing listeners with a profound understanding of his poetry and the broader implications of trauma, memory, and identity within the Jewish community. Lewis's integration of personal narrative with historical context through his poetry serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

For more episodes and to join the live studio audience events in NYC, visit zibbyowens.com. Follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens for updates and behind-the-scenes content.