By Maryama Antoine
Art is more than an aesthetic pursuit—it is a bridge to the deeper realms of human understanding, where emotion and wisdom intertwine. At its core, creativity grants us access to the most profound aspects of our minds, those spaces where empathy flourishes and meaning emerges. The act of making, of bringing something into existence, is the purest expression of our humanity. It is here, in the act of creation, that we transcend the ordinary and touch something universal. Art captures the undercurrents of feeling, distills them into form, and aligns them with insight, offering not just beauty but a profound way of seeing the world. This is why your project resonates so deeply with me. It understands that beauty is not just decoration but a design of understanding—an endeavor that, like the wisdom of the empathetic, seeks to engage and foster community.
Poet on Song was born from a need to create a moment of respite from the relentless acceleration of modern life—a space where the mind could breathe, free from the aggression and noise that dominate our days. I longed for a cultural space that upheld the Platonic ideals of truth, beauty, and goodness, a sanctuary where language, intellect, and artistry could converge in harmony. More than an artistic endeavor, it was a means of purification—a way to be washed clean of the incessant, discordant chatter of the mind. I wanted this space to be contemplative, a place where listeners could draw lessons from the genius of seers, reconnecting with the wisdom embedded in poetry and song. At its heart, this project seeks to reestablish poets in the role that all balanced and functional societies provide them—as visionaries from whom we draw inspiration, guidance, and meaning. This is not an abstract pursuit but a vital and concrete element of a flourishing culture.
Maryama Antoine, the creator and host of Poet on Song, is an American poet, novelist, and English literature teacher. Originally from New York City, she has lived in Paris for over 20 years. A finalist for the Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowships, selections from her two books of poetry have been featured on WQXR, New York City’s classical music station, and published in Spark Magazine, Éditions sans Plumes, Dotting the Eye, Spectrum, and elsewhere. Her novels explore the ways in which displacement, migration, and immigration have shaped—and continue to reshape—cultures.
