Close Talking

Connor and Jack delve into the humorous, heartbreaking, poem "Poplar Street" by Chen Chen. Connor discusses the glories and pitfalls of using a colloquial voice in poetry and Jack finds connections to Everything is Illuminated. Check out the poem, here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/58154/poplar-street Read more about Chen Chen here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chen-chen Find us on facebook at: facebook.com/closetalking Find us on twitter at: twitter.com/closetalking You can always send us an e-mail with thoughts on this or any of our previous podcasts, as well as suggestions for future shows, at closetalkingpoetry@gmail.com. Poplar Street By: Chen Chen Oh. Sorry. Hello. Are you on your way to work, too? I was just taken aback by how you also have a briefcase, also small & brown. I was taken by how you seem, secretly, to love everything. Are you my new coworker? Oh. I see. No. Still, good to meet you. I’m trying out this thing where it’s good to meet people. Maybe, bey