The Power of the Word – A Conversation with Mary Jo Malo
Welcome to Tea, Toast & Trivia!
Today, I am returning to one of the most memorable conversations ever shared on this podcast—an intimate and profound exchange with poet, Mary Jo Malo.
Though Mary Jo has stepped away from blogging, her words continue to move through the world like quiet currents – clear, enduring, and deeply felt. She reminds us that poetry is not only read, it is spoken, embodied, and lived. Her belief in reading poetry aloud resonates deeply with my own journey as a reader and listener.
In this episode, Mary Jo shares her creative process, her poetic beginnings, and the enduring power of language to wound, to heal, and to carry us across time. To honour her voice, I have chosen to republish our conversation. Because some words, like hers, are meant to be heard again and again.
A word has power
Whether mined by
demagogues
for control
or carved into stone
for memorial…
destroy the word
You steal
time.
— Mary Jo Malo, Stele
I invite you to listen with open ears and an open heart. This conversation is a celebration of poetry’s enduring presence in our lives and a tribute to the people who tend the flame of language.
So put the kettle on, and join the conversation.
Rebecca
Music by Epidemic Sound
Eternally Yours By David Celeste https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/K8gUW0Gb5B/