On September 22, 2026, WUWM hosted a roundtable featuring three distinct generations of poets to discuss the significance of poetry in their lives. This event coincides with the release of Bob Reitman’s new spoken word album, *12th House*. The roundtable was led by Bryon Cherry, a Milwaukeean poet and musician known for his ability to intertwine domestic and cosmic themes in his poetry. Cherry has published three chapbooks, including *death moan*, and is currently working on a full-length manuscript titled *Chaos Medicine*.
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Joining Cherry was Jodie Jasim, an Iraqi-American poet and the current Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate. Jasim's work explores her dual identities as an Iraqi immigrant daughter and an American teenager. She incorporates her visual art background into her poetry, aiming to evoke empathy and facilitate understanding of the complexities of Arab American identities.
Bob Reitman, a seasoned figure in radio, also participated. While widely recognized for his radio career, he has been engaged in poetry for most of his life. His career began with a poetry show, *Sense Waves*, on WUWM during the 1960s. His latest collection consists of 16 poems in *12th House*, marking his return after 54 years since the release of his first spoken word album, *The Eleventh House*, in 1972.
During the discussion, Reitman described poetry as an "odd sensation" that often arises from profound personal experiences. He noted that effective poetry requires reflection and objectivity. Jasim shared that her journey into poetry began more recently, inspired by her writings and her role as Youth Poet Laureate. She expressed the therapeutic nature of writing poetry as a means of articulating her feelings.
Cherry articulated how poetry and music intersect in his work, describing poetry as a way to slow down and think expansively about the world. He explained that writing poetry informs his musical compositions in unexpected ways. Reitman highlighted the importance of sharing poetry publicly, stating that reading in front of an audience fosters critical self-reflection and enhances the poetic experience.
Cherry and Jasim are set to perform at the launch celebration for *12th House in Twilight* at the Pabst Theater, an event honoring Reitman’s influence on Milwaukee’s music and radio scene. Further details about the performance and ticketing can be found through WUWM.