Word S3 E8: National Poetry Month — Part 3
Download mp3 (58.91 MB)This episode contains some frank descriptions that may not be suitable for all listeners and political opinions that are not endorsed by KJZZ in any capacity.
On this mega edition of “Word,” we put a cap on National Poetry Month in the state and the region.
We open with a poem by Colleen Carnahan, “Phoenix Rising.”
It was performed via web cam by New York City-based actress Alexxis Briviesca for an online project created by Brelby Theatre Company in Glendale, AZ.
The stage is dark at Brelby due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the company is using social media to keep creativity flowing with its web series, “Socially Distant, Artistically Connected.”
In addition to being a burgeoning poet, Colleen and her husband own a Valley bed & breakfast. She joined us to talk about the digital project and her artistic awakening as a poet while staying at home, yet remaining connected.
Plus, we welcome back PW Covington who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his intrepid bulldog, Chesty.
PW is heavily influenced by Beat Generation writers and is often on the road for various appearances.
Unfortunately, that’s not a reality right now as high-risk businesses across the region remain shuttered to crowds and those they come to hear and see. We feature his live reading of his soon-to-be-published-poem, “International District Warning,” nonetheless.
Poet Imogen Arate, who hosts a weekly podcast devoted to poetry, returns after a year.
And, a lot has changed during that time.
As an Asian American, Imogen brings an unique perspective to this episode, both in conversation and in verse.
She’s the host and creator of Poets and Muses, a weekly podcast originating in the Valley.
We feature her live reading of her poem, “Unvarnished.”
Finally, we close out this mega episode in the waning moments of National Poetry Month with a love note from Arizona State University student Austin Davis and his piece, “This Poem is For the Love.”
Thank you for your love of verse as we close out April. We’ll be back with more episodes in May before our summer hiatus.
In the meantime, send us an email to [email protected]. We’d love to read your recommendations for future guests or even something you liked about this episode.
We appreciate your support of the literary arts in Arizona and the region. If you’re not yet a member of KJZZ, here’s the link. Any gift of support is sincerely appreciated.
Last but not least, we ran out of time to talk about this on the show, but the Library of Congress wants you to help transcribe Walt Whitman’s poems and letters.
According to its website, almost 4,000 unpublished documents exist.
