How do you describe nature? Two poets help us
Summary
For Earth Day, Science Friday explores how poets translate nature’s beauty into meaning. Host Flora Lichtman interviews poets Jane Hirschfield and Kimberly Blazer, who discuss their creative processes and the parallels between poetry and science. They analyze listener stories of cherished natural places, examining how language captures both wonder and the poignancy of impending loss.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Listener stories about favorite natural places
Poets Jane Hirschfield and Kimberly Blazer introduced
Avoiding cliches and finding meaning in poetry
Analyzing a listener's story about Zion National Park
Kimberly Blazer reads a poem about small things
Comparing the purposes of science and poetry
Writing in Anishinaabe language and embedded knowledge
Listener story on beauty amidst impending environmental loss
Jane Hirschfield reads a poem and closing remarks
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