In this bonus episode of Bee Balm Presents, host Julia Paganelli Marín welcomes back Megan Blankenship for an intimate journey into the heart of Arkansas, where Megan's roots and poetic inspirations lie. Nestled within the natural beauty of Calico Rock and the small community of Gorby, Megan shares the influence of her childhood surroundings on her poetry, characterized by a deep connection to the wild, untamable aspects of nature.

Megan reads her poem "Sunday Morning," exploring themes of family, tradition, and the looming presence of both real and perceived threats to their way of life. Through vivid imagery of communal Sunday lunches, packs of babies, and the constant preparation for unseen dangers, the poem navigates the intricate balance between bounty and scarcity, fear and safety, showcasing Megan's skillful weaving of personal and collective narratives. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that celebrates the richness of rural life, the complexities of human and animal connections, and the never-ending quest for understanding through poetry.

Bee Balm Presents is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bee Balm Arkansas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ project in partnership with the ⁠Listening Lab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at KUAF National Public Radio.

Bee Balm Presents Host: Julia Paganelli Marín

Bee Balm Presents Producer: Micah Poor

Listening Lab Coordinator: Emerson Alexander

KUAF Executive Director: Leigh Wood

Special thanks to Avery Martin for permission to use their song “Peach Pretender”. It's a sneak peek from their unreleased EP by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Avery Lee and The Sweeties⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ dropping in Spring 2024. 

Learn more about Bee Balm Arkansas at our ⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or by following us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.