In this episode of Bee Balm Presents, Julia Paganelli Marín and Cameron Mussar explore Richard Siken's "Visible World," a poem that navigates the complexities of self-discovery and the stark realities of human emotion. Their discussion strips back its layers, revealing how light and shadow serve as metaphors for the internal and external forces shaping our identities and experiences. Cameron brings a personal perspective to the conversation, linking the poem's themes to broader discussions on queer identity, the nature of loss, and the act of finding oneself amidst life's tumult.
This episode not only highlights the poem's relevance to contemporary discussions about identity and loss but also underscores the transformative potential of poetry to challenge, comfort, and connect us across diverse life experiences. Join us for a conversation that looks beyond the surface poetry, engaging with the text's deeper questions about visibility, existence, and the barriers we face in understanding ourselves and each other.
Bee Balm Presents is a Bee Balm Arkansas project in partnership with the Listening Lab at KUAF National Public Radio.
Bee Balm Presents Host: Julia Paganelli Marín
Bee Balm Presents Producer: Micah Poor
Listening Lab Coordinator: Emerson Alexander
KUAF Executive Director: Leigh Wood
Special thanks to Avery Martin for permission to use their song “Peach Pretender”. It's a sneak peek from their unreleased EP by Avery Lee and The Sweeties dropping in Spring 2024.
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“Visible World” from Crush by Richard Siken, Copyright © 2005 by Yale University. Appearing by permission of Yale University Press
