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 is aware of the stereotypes about poetry. You’re probably aware of them too — that poems are precious, sometimes pretentious and removed from the grit of our daily lives.

But the 2017 U.S. poet laureate also knows that poems can be an escape, a mirror or a vehicle for understanding some of the most complicated parts of our shared humanity.

on stage at the Fitzgerald Theater in 2019

“A poem isn’t merely a perfect, decorative object. It’s something you can call upon in case of an emergency. It’s something that speaks to the real, the painful, the beautiful and the deliriously joyful. Poems have language for that and I think they give us a better vocabulary for talking about our lives.”

Enjoy this Talking Volumes discussion from our archives as you anticipate this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation with poet 

 talking about his new book, “Inciting Joy.”

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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The season finale of the 2022 Talking Volumes season will appear on Big Books and Bold Ideas this week, featuring poet Ross Gay talking about joy. Enjoy this 2019 Talking Volumes conversation with another poet, Tracy K. Smith, as you anticipate what’s coming. 

A woman poses for a picture while smiling.

From the archives: Poet Tracy K. Smith at Talking Volumes in 2019

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