Can poetry and music help us see life’s challenges in a new light?
On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author, poet, and songwriter Carolyn Luger Vermes discusses her inspiring collection, Poetry in Motion: Expanded Edition. Blending original poems, song lyrics, and thoughtful reflections, Carolyn explores the emotions, challenges, humor, and hope that connect us all.
The book is organized into six sections that touch on many of life’s everyday experiences, offering compassionate insights and uplifting perspectives. Carolyn believes that poetry and music are inseparable forms of expression, each capable of encouraging, healing, and inspiring readers and listeners alike.
During this engaging conversation, Carolyn shares how her lifelong love of music and writing shaped her creative journey, why optimism is a recurring theme throughout her work, and how even life’s endings often become the beginning of something new. She also discusses her original songs, including UPLIFT, and explains how words and music together can bring comfort, encouragement, and renewed purpose.
Whether you’re a longtime poetry lover, a songwriter, an aspiring writer, or someone looking for inspiration during challenging times, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into creativity, resilience, forgiveness, hope, and the beauty found in everyday life.