Yrsa Daley-Ward on What Remains After Sexual Abuse

PBS NewsHour's Elizabeth Flock speaks with poet Yrsa Daley-Ward, whose new collection, bone, describes the circumstances and aftermaths of sexual abuse. Flock discusses the connections between Daley-Ward's words and headlines circulating in the news and on social media, allegations surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Flock wonders if the audience's response has changed since the Weinstein scandal surfaced, and in response, "[Daley-Ward] said that in the last few weeks, after revelations that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed or abused dozens of women, she’s felt a different energy in the room." From there: 

“I have a lot of poems that are loud and energetic. But this one, it’s palpable what comes over the room when I read that. Because the poem doesn’t hold back… Because it’s become a thing we need to talk about right now, at this moment… Because it’s nearly every woman’s experience.”

Daley-Ward, whose poetry has spread widely over the past few years on social media, particularly Instagram, and whose book has sold so many copies it’s now available in places like Target and Urban Outfitters, said it’s encouraging to see the poetry reach across age, class and gender. ​

But women in particular have connected with her poetry, she said, because her poetry addresses issues that affect women — issues that aren’t always openly talked about. 

“It’s sexism, it’s misogyny, it’s violence. But it’s beautiful things also, it’s pleasure, it’s sex, it’s falling in love,” she said. “And these issues affect everyone as well.”

Read more at PBS Newshour.