Planetarium

“Dreamwood” by Adrienne Rich (1987)

This poem by Rich, published in Poetry magazine, looks at the role of the poet, like the end of “Planetarium.” In “Dreamwood,” Rich focuses on her desk, or “typing stand” (Line 1). Here, poetry is compared to a work “report” (Line 24) through the “material” (Line 23) of the desk. This reflects how poetry is compared to the work of astronomical recording in “Planetarium.”

“The Common Women Poems, II. Ella, in a square apron, along Highway 80” by Judy Grahn (1969)

Judy Grahn is a poet whose work Adrienne Rich promoted. Rich wrote the introduction for Grahn’s collection The work of a common woman: The collected poetry of Judy Grahn, 1964-1977. Both Grahn and Rich were part of the second-wave feminist movement. This poem is one of Grahn’s “Common Women Poems” reprinted on the Poetry Foundation website. It explores both gender and class, describing a waitress’ difficult life. Like the inclusion of natural celestial bodies in “Planetarium,” Grahn’s poem features a natural metaphor, but one on earth—a snake.

“Ah, Moon—and Star!” by Emily Dickinson (c. 1860-1862)

This is an astronomical poem by Emily Dickinson. Like Rich in “Planetarium,” Dickinson uses astronomical measurement in her imagery. Both poems feature the moon, a symbol that is often associated with women. Furthermore, Rich was openly a member of the LGBT community, and there are well-supported theories about Dickinson also being a member of this community.

“Three Poems” by Mary A. Hood (2016)

This blog post from Negative Capability Press features three poems, “Egg,” “Rescuing the Turtle,” and “High School” by Mary A. Hood. The website also features Sue Walker’s interview with Mary A. Hood. Hood is a poet who often writes about being a woman working in science—she is a Professor Emerita of Biology.