Representative Ilhan Omar Reads Warsan Shire

In this episode, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar reads “Conversations about home (at the deportation centre)” by Warsan Shire and reflects on the many meanings of home. On November 6, 2018, Omar became the first Somali American, and one of the first two Muslim women elected to U.S. Congress. She represents Minnesota’s 5th congressional district. This interview was recorded in 2017, when Omar was still serving in the Minnesota State House of Representatives.

“Conversations about home (at the deportation centre),” by Warsan Shire, appears in the pamphlet, Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth, from Flipped Eye Publishing.

Keep up with Ilhan Omar on Twitter, Facebook, and ilhanomar.com.

As always, the Haiku Hotline (612-440-0643) is open for your short poems and poetic musings.

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Entomologist Marla Spivak Reads Rumi

Marla Spivak

In this episode, entomologist Dr. Marla Spivak reads “When Grapes Turn to Wine” by Rumi and discusses how Rumi can teach us to “think like bee.” Dr. Spivak is a MacArthur “genius” Fellow known for her groundbreaking research on bee behavior and biology.

“When Grapes Turn to Wine” by Rumi, translated by Robert Bly, appears in the book If Bees Are Few: A Hive of Bee Poems, published by University of Minnesota Press. A portion of all proceeds from the book are donated to support research at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab.

We feature one listener haiku at the end of every episode. To submit, call the Haiku Hotline at 612-440-0643 and read your poem after the beep. For the occasional prompt, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Playwright Harrison David Rivers Reads Essex Hemphill

Harrison David Rivers

In this episode, playwright Harrison David Rivers reads “For My Own Protection” by Essex Hemphill and discusses the use of the poem in his recent play, This Bitter Earth. Rivers is the recipient of fellowships from the McKnight and Jerome Foundations and is a core writer at the Playwright’s Center.

“For My Own Protection” by Essex Hemphill appears in the collection Ceremonies, published by Plume.

Keep up with Harrison David Rivers at harrisondavidrivers.com

We feature one listener haiku at the end of every episode. To submit, call the Haiku Hotline at 612-440-0643 and read your poem after the beep. For the occasional prompt, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Subscribe on RadioPublic, iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Novelist Chris Kraus Reads Steve Levine

Chris Kraus

In this episode, writer Chris Kraus reads “Miserable Life” by Steve Levine and discusses how New York School poetry influenced the development of her distinctive style. Kraus is the author of I Love Dick (now an Amazon Original Series) and, most recently, After Kathy Acker.

“Miserable Life” is used by permission from To and For (Coffee House Press, 1992). Copyright © 1992 by Steve Levine.

Keep up with Chris Kraus’ latest releases at Semiotext(e).

We feature one listener haiku at the end of every episode. To submit, call the Haiku Hotline at 612-440-0643 and read your poem after the beep. For the occasional prompt, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or RadioPublic.

Chef Amy Thielen Reads Jim Harrison

In this episode, Amy Thielen reads “Death Again” by Jim Harrison and explores the relationship between great food and great literature. Amy Thielen is a chef and two-time James Beard Award-winning writer. She’s the author of The New Midwestern Table (a cookbook) and Give a Girl a Knife (a memoir). She’s also the host of Heartland Table on Food Network.

“Death Again” by Jim Harrison appears in Songs of Unreason, published by Copper Canyon Press.

Keep up with Amy Thielen on Twitter, Facebook, and at amythielen.com.

We feature one listener haiku at the end of every episode. To submit, call the Haiku Hotline at 612-440-0643 and read your poem after the beep. For the occasional prompt, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Subscribe on RadioPublic, iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher.