Reflections in Poetry with Donna Isaac, Episode #7

Donna Isaac writes reflections in poetry: on faith and family, on music and memories of her brother.

She is a teaching artist who organizes community readings in the Twin Cities. Published work includes a poetry book, Footfalls (Pocahontas Press), a paean to American folk music and her formative years in the Appalachians; two chapbooks, Tommy (Red Dragonfly Press); Holy Comforter (Red Bird Chapbooks); and work in journals such as the Saint Paul Almanac, the Penn Review, and AvantAppal(achia).  Persistence of Vision, a chapbook focused on Donna’s love for movies, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press, November 2019.

donnaisaacpoet.com

Donna’s Readings

  • Unravelling – 10:12
  • Bloodlines – 27:45
  • For the Love of Dance – 45:20

Michael’s Beer Pairings

  • Oberon, Bell’s Brewery (paired to Unravelling) –
    7:56
  • Rubaeus, Founders Brewing Co. (paired to
    Bloodlines) – 24:30
  • Let’s Dance, Urban Growler Brewing Co. (paired
    to For the Love of Dance) – 42:23

Interview Highlights

  • Childhood then & now – 12:11
  • Tommy Chapbook: Poems for Donna’s Brother –
    17:47
  • Donna’s Background – 19:32
  • Donna’s Influences – 22:21
  • Influences of Growing Up in Appalachia – 31.26
  • Imagery of Ireland – 38:16
  • Interest in Family Research – 40:53
  • Writing About Joy and Beauty – 48:30
  • Themes of Donna’s Chapbooks Holy Comforter and
    Persistence of Vision – 55:09
  • The Value of Poetry – 56:37

Upcoming Events

Poets Dore Kesselbach, Sharon Chmielarz, Donna Isaac, and Ethna McKiernan will read work at Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN, November 5, 2019, 7:00 p.m. All poets have new books for sale.

Clapping Waters’ Reading Series will feature Donna Isaac, Nov. 13, 6:00-6:30 (open mic: until 8:00) at River Falls Public Library (lower level) in River Falls, WI.

Donna Isaac will read at Tillie’s Farmhouse, 232 Cleveland Ave., St. Paul, MN, November 20, 2019, 7:00 p.m. with poet Margaret Hasse. Books for sale. Come early for dinner and music by John Wenstrom and co.

NEXT MONTH:

Author Sarah Stonich.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

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