28 Comments
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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

I was deeply moved by your desire to help people identify the power and purpose of poetry in their lives. As someone who has always found solace and inspiration in poetry, I believe it has the ability to heal, transform, and connect us on a profound level. Your words reminded me of the poet Mary Oliver, who said, 'Poetry is a life-cherishing force.' Thank you for sharing your passion and for making the world a more beautiful place through your work.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I agree with all of this, Alexander! And I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview!

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

Yes, that is something I believe and hold onto as well. Thank you so much!!!!

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Mesa Fama's avatar

Yay! Another Big Magic reader!! Also, loved your piece of wisdom Maya!

Thanks for sharing another great Body, Brain, and Books, Jane <3

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Big Magic is everywhere! Hah! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mesa!

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Susan Rockefeller's avatar

Fantastic interview. Thank you!

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Sue! 🌸

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Julie Bancroft's avatar

Fabulous and inspiring interview.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Julie!

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

Thank you so much. And great thanks to Jane. x

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Imola's avatar

Poetry today is one of my favourite newsletters! Now I only need to order Maya’s book…

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Yes, Maya's work is so lovely!!

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

THANK YOU!!!! xx

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Jillian Hess's avatar

Chaucer is such an awesome dog name!

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

So true!! Or a kitty cat!

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Lisa Jensen's avatar

A beautiful interview with a beautiful human! I love Maya, her poetry, and her incredibly warm style of teaching. ❤️

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview, Lisa!! And, I agree, Maya is so warm and lovely! ❤️

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

You are too, Jane. Truly.

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Maya C. Popa's avatar

💕 you too, wonderful Lisa xx

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Michael's avatar

:)

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

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kaylen alexandra's avatar

I loved learning that Maya took a break between grad school and her doctoral program. I’m in grad school now for positive psychology, and would like to pursue a PhD, but I’m not quite sure in what yet.

This was beautiful and inspirational. Thank you Jane & Maya. 🙏

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! School breaks can be so nurturing, I think!

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Mary Roblyn's avatar

Lovely to wake up this morning and find this interview with Maya in my inbox. Her Poetry Today Substack and Conscious Writers Collective have been mainstays of my personal and writing life for the past year, since I came to Substack. Brilliant teacher, extraordinary poet, kind and generous human being: she's all that. I've learned more from Maya than I did while earning my MFA. And I am far from alone. A diverse group of passionate, engaged writers comprise her CWC community. There's a deep vault of past lessons, an ongoing series of interactive lessons with visiting teachers, workshops, intimate feedback groups, and more. How does she do all this? I don't know. A special kind of magic, is my guess.

And - as the Levi's story attests - she is a fashion icon, and a very cool girl.

Thank you, Jane! Your interviews always bring out the real person beyond what's written on the About page. And this one feels particularly special.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Oh, Mary, I love hearing all that! And I'm not at all surprised. Maya is truly a special soul!

And thank you for your kind words. I feel so lucky that I'm able to interact with all these beautiful humans! 🌸

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Mary Roblyn's avatar

You also have a special kind of magic.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Oh, thank you, Mary!! That means so much!

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