Thank you, Kim. I hope it is all three. If Amanda Gorman's plans go another direction, more power to her. But a poet-president would still be a fine thing.
What a terrific idea! Lately thinking about the Elena Ferrante tetralogy _My Brilliant Friend_ and the three novels that followed. Love your Substack, Tara.
Thank you, Mary. You are so generous with kind words! :-) I can learn from you about the Ferrante series, as I haven't read anything by her. Now that many readers are reassessing what they think of Alice Munro's stories about the "Lives of Girls and Women," maybe Elena Ferrante's girls and women deserve a look?
In twelve years, she'll be different. But for now, it is good to think of what she might be able to inspire and accomplish with her heart where it is now.
Yes, yes, yes! I want this too. Thank you for this beautiful poem filled to the brim with hope -- hope to be earned and fought, but what a great fight that will be!
Great post Tara, thank you. And we are holding space and breath for you on this side of the pond. The book that I return to again and again is the gentle wisdom of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. I curl up between those pages whenever my soul feels in need of soothing balm.
That, and Krista Tippet’s OnBeing interview with John O’Donohue. His voice is balm for the soul too. I could not pick a favourite of his books though. All speak to me in different ways.
Thank you, Tina. The world waits to see which values we prioritize this year. It gave me comfort to look farther down the road. This probably won't be the last time I steady myself with a poet. All of those choices you mention would be good to have on hand.
poets for president!
Hurrah! 🎉
Oh, yes❣️
❤️
What a lovely reminder, tribute and foreshadow! You’ve captured all three with your amazing words Tara.
Thank you, Kim. I hope it is all three. If Amanda Gorman's plans go another direction, more power to her. But a poet-president would still be a fine thing.
What a terrific idea! Lately thinking about the Elena Ferrante tetralogy _My Brilliant Friend_ and the three novels that followed. Love your Substack, Tara.
Thank you, Mary. You are so generous with kind words! :-) I can learn from you about the Ferrante series, as I haven't read anything by her. Now that many readers are reassessing what they think of Alice Munro's stories about the "Lives of Girls and Women," maybe Elena Ferrante's girls and women deserve a look?
I’m obsessed with Amanda Gorman and this post / poem! This is fantastic!
I love watching her hands. She conducts the poem. :-)
Yes.
That was such a chillingly beautiful moment. Perhaps in the meantime, she can occupy some space…mental space at least…of our government.
I would think she might help with (and learn from) the Harris campaign in California. Maybe we'll hear more from her sooner than later.
The whole world needs Amanda 🙏🏽
I'm optimistic about what she can become with poetry at the center of it.
I pray you’re right Tara… I will remain optimistic with you !
Her heart is in the right place. 🥰🙏
In twelve years, she'll be different. But for now, it is good to think of what she might be able to inspire and accomplish with her heart where it is now.
Love this Tara! Your words fill me with hope.
“Watch how a poet swaps our clichés
for a language that dignifies
every
last
one of us.”
It sounds so beyond dispute to me! 😅
Wonderful!
Thank you!
Yes, yes, yes! I want this too. Thank you for this beautiful poem filled to the brim with hope -- hope to be earned and fought, but what a great fight that will be!
Thank you for commenting and sharing, Louisa. I'm so glad to know this spreads a little hope.
Just beautiful, Tara. Inspiring and hopeful. Amanda. We'll be hearing about her. Thankfully.
And there are two! 😅 Her sister also sounds like a great talent.
Great post Tara, thank you. And we are holding space and breath for you on this side of the pond. The book that I return to again and again is the gentle wisdom of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. I curl up between those pages whenever my soul feels in need of soothing balm.
That, and Krista Tippet’s OnBeing interview with John O’Donohue. His voice is balm for the soul too. I could not pick a favourite of his books though. All speak to me in different ways.
Thank you, Tina. The world waits to see which values we prioritize this year. It gave me comfort to look farther down the road. This probably won't be the last time I steady myself with a poet. All of those choices you mention would be good to have on hand.
"...our waves of grain not just amber
but umber, bone, and fawn." Lovely.
🙏 ❤️
I love this, Tara. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca! I gave Amanda's inaugural poem a fresh listen, and the rest followed.