Episode 2: Ciona Rouse
(July 22, 2002)
Andy’s conversation with Nashville’s unofficial poet laureate goes deep into the mystery and power of poetry in fractious times, the importance of seeking out voices of people outside one’s own culture, and, perhaps more to the point for this show’s purposes, the historic relationship between writers and alcohol—specifically bourbon in Rouse’s case (and Andy’s, too, as luck would have it). Related topics: Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, the derivation and pronunciation of the name Ciona, the pros and cons of puns, Andy’s musical theater issues, the Louisa Nelson Awards (Rouse received one in 2019), and the deep pleasure of reading Shakespeare aloud among friends. Special Guest Appearance by Andy’s dog Clyde, the very best boy in the whole wide world.