Last week I was lucky enough to attend a taping of Krista Tippett‘s podcast On Being at Symphony Space in Manhattan. Krista’s guests were Joy Harjo and Tracy K. Smith, two of the most acclaimed poets of our time. The evening, billed as “a conversation,” was enlightening, thought-provoking, and inspiring. I tried to take notes on my phone, but quickly realized I couldn’t keep up with the brilliance shining from the stage. Still, I managed to capture a few nuggets of wisdom, which I have tried to distill into a poem. Fortunately, at some point in the near future, we will all be able to listen to this conversation and learn all the “beautiful things” these women have to teach us.
As we move through time,
year after year,
new layers of meaning
accumulate
like pages
In a manuscript–
each sheet containing
some small surprise
or contradiction
to all that came before.
Remember this:
Don’t be afraid.
Witness new wonders.
Feel with radical compassion.
Find a deeper
and more resonant
truth.
Draft, © Catherine Flynn, 2025
Please be sure to visit Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
Reading to the Core 
How I would have loved to attend that conversation! Thanks for sharing what you gleaned in a poem form, just right. I look forward to hearing it soon.
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Nice poem! Please DO post link to the presentation by the poets when it is available!
Thanks.
Alice
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What a gift to be in the presence of these magnificent beings! You gleaned wisdom and shared it with us-thank you!
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That evening sounds thought-changing, Catherine, and it’s grand that you wrote your personal thoughts from it! I am intrigued with “Feel with radical compassion.” Thank you!
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What an amazing program, Catherine! Your poem speaks volumes and reminds me of Mary Oliver’s advice.
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Wow! To be at that conversation. I like the line abut each sheet containing a small surprise.
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I’m a little jealous, but mostly proud of you for snagging this opportunity! That’s the way to live. Not on the sidelines, but an active participant.
You captured so much wisdom. I can’t wait to hear the whole conversation!
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What a beautiful night that must have been! Your poem gives us a lovely glimpse, and I look forward to the entire conversation.
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Oh, I would love to hear what nuggets they shared. I’ll look forward to that. Thanks for sharing what you gleaned from your evening in your poem, Catherine. I’ll keep my ear to the ground for this one!
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I’m SO glad you were able to attend and that you were inspired to write this lovely poem. What a great way to synthesize the event! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for access to this conversation.
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