In a recent episode of the podcast First Draft, host Mitzi Rapkin engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with acclaimed poet Ada Limón about her latest poetry collection, Startlement: New & Selected Poems. The episode delves into Limón’s unique perspectives on creativity, memory, and the influence of nature in her writing.
Limón, who served as the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States, shared her early awareness of the world around her. Some poems in her new collection reflect on childhood memories, such as climbing trees and observing her family. In contrast, others explore her experiences as a high school student navigating altered states of consciousness.
Exploring Consciousness Through Poetry
During the discussion, Rapkin asked Limón about the role of psychedelics in her artistic journey. Limón expressed that she has always perceived the world through a unique lens, but found that plant medicine provided a means to articulate those perceptions. “What happened to me was that I always saw things that way, and plant medicine gave me an excuse to talk about it,” Limón explained. She emphasized that these experiences allowed her to connect with others on a deeper level, transforming her personal insights into shared conversations.
Limón articulated how psychedelics enabled her to engage with the natural world more profoundly. “You’re not really supposed to walk around and touch leaves and talk about their incredible, intricate patterns,” she noted. For her, these heightened experiences brought forth a new dimension in her poetry, allowing her to express her intrinsic connection to nature.
A Celebration of Literary Accomplishments
Ada Limón is not only the author of Startlement but also of several other notable works, including The Hurting Kind, which was a finalist for the Griffin Prize, and The Carrying, which received the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her earlier collection, Bright Dead Things, garnered recognition as a finalist for the National Book Award and the Kingsley Tufts Award. Limón’s contributions to literature extend beyond poetry; she has authored two picture books and edited the anthology You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World.
Listeners can subscribe to First Draft and download the episode on various podcast platforms to engage further with Limón’s insights and literary journey. Her reflections not only celebrate the art of poetry but also highlight the transformative power of words in understanding our experiences and the world at large.
