How To Write About BIG Topics | Pour Over Poems

How do you take a poem that feels "all bones" and give it the muscle it needs to truly resonate?In this episode of Pour Over Poems, poet Geoff Anderson sits down with poet, comedian, and performer Leslie "Umzè" Battle Zoe Brigley to explore how to take a poem and add flesh--the details, the specificities, and details that help a piece come to life.We dive into the motivation behind the pieces we create, the audiences we believe our art particularly speaks to, and how to deliver our expression to others. IF you're a fan of poetry, or editing, or the thought process behind art, this discussion is for you! Welcome to Pour Over Poems, where host poet Geoff Anderson invites a poet out for coffee to hear one of their poems and then see where the discussion goes. When writing about massive topics like social justice, war, or inequality, it’s easy to get lost in broad concepts. We discuss why "The Individual is Universal" and how narrowing your focus can actually make your message more powerful.In this video, we cover:Moving from Vague to Concrete: How to swap abstract "tales of woe" for specific, lived-in imagery (like picking corn in a grandmother’s garden).The Staircase Analogy: Making sure your reader can follow your logical and emotional transitions without "tripping."Managing Ambiguity: When is being vague helpful, and when does it work against your poem’s intent?Writing for an Audience of One: Why writing specifically for one person (like your child) makes your work feel more intimate for everyone.Whether you're a seasoned poet or just starting to find your voice, these exercises in precision and "uncomfortable" specifics will help you unblind your brand and add value to every line you write.In this video, we discuss:See more Pour Over Poems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbwlCYKx-kGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYg00:00 - Introduction to Pour Over Poems 01:02 - Reading the "Incursion" Poem 01:45 - The goal: Writing social justice without being "pointed" 02:41 - The challenge with "Big Topics" 03:29 - Concept: The Individual is Universal 04:12 - Analyzing the shift from "We" to "I" 05:39 - The "Staircase" analogy for communication 07:11 - Identifying broad vs. specific language in poetry 09:25 - Dealing with ambiguity in art 11:51 - Finding the "Right" type of social justice 14:23 - Tapping into the trigger of inspiration 18:43 - The Power of the "Target Audience of One" 22:21 - Practical Exercise: Rewriting for your child 24:50 - Restoring value to cliches and "Two-Word Brands" 31:30 - Final thoughts and "Think Inside the Box"#diverses #pouroverpoems #poetry