Daniel talks with former U.S. Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, who at age 86 has released a collection of essays called "Essays After Eighty." Hall talks about why old age is "a ceremony of losses," and why old age can make one feel like an extraterrestrial. He also talks about his crazy beard and explains why poetry is a "bodily art" that is lost with testosterone upon aging. This interview was recorded by phone in Donald Hall's great-grandmother's rural farmhouse in New Hampshire, and the phone lines sound about as old as the house! We hope you'll take the time to listen to this interview in a quiet environment...
Our poem of the week is read by Quetzani Montaño-Sevilla. It's "A Beard for a Blue Pantry" by today's guest, Donald Hall.
Aired Jan. 4, 2015.