A Political Poetry: Reading and Conversation with Solmaz Sharif

Explore the intersection of poetry and politics in this thought-provoking reading and conversation featuring award-winning poet and Radcliffe Institute visiting scholar Solmaz Sharif. Delve into selected poems as Sharif engages in a stimulating discussion with Evie Shockley RI '19, covering topics such as Operation Names, Personal Effects, and Social Skills Training. Examine the possibilities of language, the role of the political poet, and the relationship to form in contemporary poetry. Gain insights into Sharif's creative process, her approach to writing in English, and her exploration of beauty within politically charged themes. Discover how poetry can serve as a powerful medium for addressing complex issues, including reflections on Guantanamo and the concept of "The Masters House."

Introduction
Look
Operation Names
Exquisite
Personal Effects
My Uncle
Apples
Ibis
Social Skills Training
The Masters House
Writing in English
The possibilities of language
The role of the political poet
Relationship to form
Beauty
Form
Reaching Guantanamo