For Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, poetry is her way of connecting — to others, to ourselves, to our natural world. Ada’s work is deeply personal, inspired by gratitude for loved ones, awe and nature, and her struggles with scoliosis and infertility. In this conversation with the Surgeon General, she reflects on her process for writing, which she says often starts with the simple act of seeing what’s around her. When Ada shares her poems, she finds joy in other people seeing their own feelings and life experiences in her writing. In the course of this conversation she beautifully recites two of her poems. “The Raincoat” was written for her mother. The other, “In Praise of Mystery,” is shooting through outer space right now on a NASA aircraft bound for Jupiter’s moon Europa.
(07:36) Can poetry help keep us grounded?
(10:33) How does poetry help when language fails us?
(12:35) Ada shares her poem "The Raincoat”
(17:50) What are some unexpected ways poetry opens people up?
(22:40) What if we don't "get" poetry?
(26:42) What is it like to live the life of a poet?
(31:38) How Ada gets herself in the mindset to write
(38:08) On staying present
(44:02) How life challenges shaped her creativity
(52:14) How does Ada define success at this point in her life?
(59:36) A reading of her poem "In Praise of Mystery."
(01:03:08) What gives Ada Limón hope?
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.
--
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | [ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ] | [ Ссылка ] [ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ]
HHS Privacy Policy: [ Ссылка ]
