Friday, May 06, 2022

Poetry Friday: Billy Collins reads Lawrence Raab


On Wednesday's Poetry Broadcast, Billy Collins read a short poem called "One of the Ways We Talk to Each Other" by Lawrence Raab. (I can't find that one in print online, but you can hear Collins read it here, starting at the 29:00 minute mark.) As someone who's been married for 38 years, I appreciated the genuine peek into a moment of communication gone wrong, then set right. 

I also appreciated the introduction to Raab — I wasn't familiar with him at all — and it made me want to buy his latest collection, April at the Ruins. Poetry Foundation says, "Conversational yet precise, Raab’s lyrical meditations trace human fallibility and doubt." 

Ah, a few of my favorite things. 

Here's another one: 

Marriage

by Lawrence Raab

Years later they find themselves talking
about chances, moments when their lives
might have swerved off
for the smallest reason.
....
(Read the rest of this short one here, at Poetry Foundation.)


8 comments:

Mary Lee said...

Thank you for the introduction to Lawrence Raab! I love me a plain-spoken poet. I can see why he's a favorite of Billy Collins! That conversation poem could have been me and hubby this week!

jama said...

Oh yes, so true. Must read more of Raab's work!

Linda B said...

Love hearing Billy Collins read Raab's poem, Karene. Thanks for all!

Tabatha said...

"Marriage" is great -- conversational, layered, a bit haunting. Thanks, Karen!

Tricia said...

Billy Collins is an amazing reader. I loved hearing the poem. Thanks for introducing me to Raab.

Karen Eastlund said...

Love it! Thanks...

Linda Mitchell said...

This is a poem to read again and again.

Rose Cappelli said...

Thanks for introducing me to a new poet, Karen! Lovely to hear Billy Collins read.