For grieving people, processing loss through creativity can open doors to healing. In this episode, Trudy and Lisa engage in a lively and illuminating conversation with poet and biographer Molly Peacock about her new book of poems, The Widow’s Crayon Box. This book of poetry is a deeply personal and moving chronicle of Molly’s journey before, during and after the death of her beloved husband. Molly realized she was not living the perceived idea of a widow’s mauve existence, but was experiencing life in all colours. The Widow’s Crayon Box is published by WW Norton and is available wherever you buy books.

Molly has received awards from the Danforth Foundation, the Ingram Merrill Foundation, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. She is a president emerita of the Poetry Society of America and was one of the originators of Poetry in Motion, a popular program that places poems on placards in subways and buses.

Molly joins us from her home in Toronto, Ontario.

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--From This Episode--

-Poetry-

The Widow’s Crayon Box (W. W. Norton, 2024)

The Analyst (W. W. Norton, 2017)

The Second Blush: Poems (W. W. Norton, 2008)

Cornucopia: New and Selected Poems (W. W. Norton, 2002)

Original Love (W. W. Norton, 1995)

Take Heart (Random House, 1989)

Raw Heaven (Random House, 1984)

And Live Apart (University of Missouri Press, 1980).

-Prose-

A Friend Sails in on a Poem: Essays on Friendship, Freedom and Poetic Form (Palimpsest Press, 2022)

Flower Diary: In Which Mary Hiester Reid Paints, Travels, Marries & Opens a Door (ECW Press, 2021)

Alphabetique, 26 Characteristic Fictions (McClelland & Stewart, 2014)

The Paper Garden: An Artist Begins Her Life’s Work at 72 (Bloomsbury, 2011)

How to Read a Poem, and Start a Poetry Circle (Riverhead Books, 1999)

Paradise, Piece by Piece (Riverhead Books, 1998), a literary memoir

• (01:13) - Molly Peacock's Biography and Upcoming Book
• (03:12) - Reading of "Touched"
• (05:19) - Touch, Loss & Meaning
• (10:25) - Imagery and Grief
• (13:26) - The Widow's Crayon Box and Its Metaphor
• (18:20) - The Contradictions of Grief
• (27:49) - The World Continues
• (33:00) - Sonnet Sequence
• (41:33) - Closing & What’s Next

Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin

Produced by Odvod Media

Audio Engineering by Steve Glen

Original music by Darrin Hagen

The conversation centers on creativity for people of a certain age. Lisa is inspired by a writing workshop led by Krista Vernoff, so she and Trudy explore the challenges and obstacles to creativity, such as societal expectations and the publishing industry's youth-driven focus. If creativity is inherent, shouldn’t it be pursued regardless of age? Lisa shares her experience learning Italian and the importance of starting small. They highlight the need for "margins" in life to engage in creative activities and encourage listeners to embrace their creative potential without fear of being too late or questioning the point of the pursuit.

Read our blog: CroneCast.ca

Share your questions and comments at https://cronecast.ca/contact. We want to hear from you about all things crone.

--Chapters--

• (00:42) - Krista Vernoff's Expressive Writing Workshop
• (04:08) - Exploring Creativity at Different Life Stages
• (07:03) - The Importance of Purpose in Creativity
• (09:35) - Finding Margins for Creativity
• (13:34) - Inspiration and Overcoming Obstacles
• (22:03) - Reflecting on Childhood Interests
• (24:43) - Contributing Creatively to the World
• (26:07) - Encouraging Listeners to Be Creative

--Credits--

Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin

Produced by Odvod Media

Audio Engineering by Steve Glen

Original music by Darrin Hagen

Trudy and Lisa discuss the positive feedback the episode about grief received from listeners of all ages and experiences. Trudy talks about the wonderful and unexpected engagement from diverse listeners. They also reflect on the importance of inclusive spaces and our evolving roles and identities as we age. A rousing debate about the necessity of having some women-only spaces versus only inclusive ones ensues, with Trudy emphasizing her desire to participate in spaces with all genders. Both hosts highlight the importance of adapting to new technologies while maintaining a sense of joy and adventure in life.

Read our blog: CroneCast.ca

Share your questions and comments at https://cronecast.ca/contact. We want to hear from you about all things crone.

--Chapters--

• (00:34) - Intro
• (02:56) - Seeing Oneself in Stories
• (07:59) - Space to Be
• (14:33) - Networking
• (17:28) - Changing roles
• (21:14) - Explaining
• (24:53) - Pace
• (28:06) - Close

--Credits—

Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin

Produced by Odvod Media

Audio Engineering by Steve Glen

Original music by Darrin Hagen