'Ars poetica' refers to any poetry or prose that considers the art of poetry, especially poems that step outside of themselves to consider their own genesis and nature. Today, Sue’s poem 'Ocean' describes her creative process, and Deborah’s interleaving of two poems in 'Sanctus' is an example of poems that step outside of themselves. Lnks to ideas mentioned in the episode, as well as the printed works on a page with orignal artwork are in the show notes.

Tom is an emeritus poet laureate of Benicia in the SF Bay Area. Today, he's performing a ‘poemSong,’ part poem and part song, which incorporates musical sounds with words. Think of an abstract work of art and how you have to suspend disbelief and just let the words and sounds in, and see where it takes you. It's not as accessible as many of our other offerings, and that's part of the poetry journey across bridges, down hills to the edge of a great river, the Suisun Bay, Benicia and "Rivertown". The show notes include the written version of the poem, the prompt and more about Tom.

Last time we read Clare’s poem, “Deope,” for the river Deben in Suffolk, which opened questions about the importance of particular beloved places in connecting us to the natural world and building the foundation for stewardship. Today Deborah shares her poem “Dreaming With Gray Eagle Creek.” Our wide-ranging conversation after the reading touches on the allegory of rivers and spirit, of water flowing and changing as the river stays more constant and the comparison of water flowing, to music.