The Power of Poetry, Community, and Attention: A Conversation with Dr. Ann Buxie
Meet Dr. Ann Buxie
For two years, I’ve been working toward something truly special—an exploration of the deep connection between poetry, community, and the art of attention. Now, I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast with a guest whose wisdom and creative insight have profoundly shaped my thinking.
Dr. Ann Buxie, Fourth Poet Laureate of Malibu, poet, artist, mentor, and storyteller, has spent a lifetime investigating the ways that language, poetry, and storytelling shape our understanding of the world.
Poetry as an Act of Attention
Poetry is, at its core, an act of attention, as poet Donald Revell suggests. But what does it mean to truly attend to one another? How do we cultivate deeper relationships—both with each other and with the natural world?
These are questions at the heart of my conversation with Ann. Through her creative work and scholarly research, she explores how poetry bridges the gap between self and community, offering a way to expand our consciousness, empathy, and understanding.
The Original Meaning of Community
Dr. Buxie is deeply interested in the etymology of words—their original meanings and how they have evolved. As she notes, the word “community” originally meant “to serve together.”
This philosophy has guided my own journey as Malibu Poet Laureate, a role rooted in service through poetry. It’s also the foundation of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, which I co-founded with Rachael, to explore poetry as a means of connection.
Language, Nature, and Expanding Consciousness
Ann’s PhD thesis, Logosynthesis, delves into the phenomenology of language—how words shape our perception of reality. In our conversation, she shares how poetry can be a powerful tool for capturing our relationship with nature.
"For me, the whole world is metaphor," Ann reflects. She describes how, if a flower can crack through asphalt, she too can find the strength to rise each morning. Poetry, in this sense, becomes an act of resilience, renewal, and transformation.
Watch Episode #4 of The Poetry Vessel Podcast
I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Ann Buxie by her fireplace, under the warm glow of candlelight, and surrounded by her stunning artwork. We spoke about:
✔️ The role of poetry in shaping communities
✔️ Attention and listening as acts of service
✔️ The power of metaphor in understanding life
✔️ How language shapes our connection to nature
Join us for an hour of poetic reflection and deep conversation.
🎧 Watch Episode #4 of The Poetry Vessel Podcast on YouTube
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