A journey into the psalter’s darkest poem (Psalm 88) to explore tone and emotional state in poetry. This episode engages Linda Pastan’s poem ”Why are Your Poems So Dark?” Thanks to Linda Pastan for permission to use her poem, which was first published in Poetry Magazine in 2003, and in her collection A Queen of a Rainy Country, published by W. W. Norton.

What are we to make of the brutal last line in Psalm 137? ”A blessing on the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rock!” This episode explores unspeakable events, justice, revenge, death, and ... blessing. This episode engages John Savoie’s poem ”Trimmed and Burning.”

A reflection on Psalm 82, a somewhat confusing poem about God and justice, and poetic adventures in missing the point. The episode discusses Mitch Roberson’s ”Every Day We Are Dancers” and Billie Collins’ ”Introduction to Poetry.”

Brent talks about the celebration of the body in Song of Songs and Sharon Olds’ ”Topography,” in a series of what he calls ”Whoohiya!” moments.

A meditation on Song of Songs 8:6-7, a poem about love and death, written and narrated by Brent Strawn.

A poetic reflection on Ecclesiastes 3 by Brent A. Strawn. In Parallel is a new podcast that explores biblical and contemporary poetry.

Welcome to In Verse, a podcast that explores the intersections of biblical and contemporary poetry. This podcast is hosted by Brent Strawn of Duke Divinity School, and is produced by Keith Willis.