Poet Ada Limón On Writing In Uncertain Times

This episode of Fresh Air features an interview with Ada Limon, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, discussing her new collection, "Startlement: New and Selected Poems." Limon shares the inspiration behind the title poem, which was initially written for a government report on climate change, and reflects on the experience of revisiting her poetry from the past 20 years. She reads and discusses two of her poems, "Startlement" and "Centerfold," and elaborates on her signature project as Poet Laureate, "You Are Here," which involved placing poetry installations in National Parks. Limon also shares the story behind her poem "A New National Anthem" and discusses her role as Poet Laureate, emphasizing the importance of critique, tenderness, and vulnerability in the current American landscape. The episode concludes with a review by Ken Tucker of the re-release of the album Buckingham Nicks.