In this episode, the first in the Men's Spotlight, Mary is honored to sit down with her friend, Anthony Neri. Anthony shares how poetry played an instrumental role in his life from a young age and shaped him as a person. Pour yourself a boulevardier and enjoy this first story in the Men's Spotlight series: every man has a story and I want to hear yours.

An Irish Airman foresees his Death

BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

I know that I shall meet my fate

Somewhere among the clouds above;

Those that I fight I do not hate,

Those that I guard I do not love;

My country is Kiltartan Cross,

My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor,

No likely end could bring them loss

Or leave them happier than before.

Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,

Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,

A lonely impulse of delight

Drove to this tumult in the clouds;

I balanced all, brought all to mind,

The years to come seemed waste of breath,

A waste of breath the years behind

In balance with this life, this death.

Invictus
BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

This episode of I’m so glad you asked was edited by Josh Finfrock.

I’m so glad you asked is a twice monthly interview podcast hosted by Mary Kruse (@mtheresafaith31), a Chicago based artist.

Instagram: @imsogladyouaskedpodcast