Kevin Young on Poetry as a Companion to Grief

At Time, poet Kevin Young discusses his new role as director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as the ways poetry can help those grieving in the midst of the pandemic. “People have written to me a lot more in this time around The Art of Losing,” Young says. “Poetry can be a balm, but it can’t wipe away those feelings. It’s more like a companion. Sometimes it’s loud—in a good way—and distracts you, and sometimes it’s quiet and accompanies you.”