28 Comments

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

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

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

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

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Fantastic interview. Thank you!

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I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Sue! 🌸

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Fabulous and inspiring interview.

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I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Julie!

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

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

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

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

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Yes, Maya's work is so lovely!!

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

THANK YOU!!!! xx

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Oct 1Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

Chaucer is such an awesome dog name!

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So true!! Or a kitty cat!

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Oct 1Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

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

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

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You are too, Jane. Truly.

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💕 you too, wonderful Lisa xx

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:)

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I'm glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

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

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Sep 30·edited Sep 30Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

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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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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You also have a special kind of magic.

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

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