Ep 2. Looking for the Gulf Motel

In Poetry in America season 3 episode 2, titled "Looking for the Gulf Motel," the focus is on the poem of the same name by the poet Richard Blanco. The poem explores the lost history and culture of a Florida town through the memory of a specific location, the Gulf Motel. Through Blanco's words, viewers are taken on a journey through the changing landscape of Florida and the impact it has had on the state's marginalized communities.

The episode begins with host Elisa New introducing Richard Blanco and his poem "Looking for the Gulf Motel." We see Blanco standing in front of a deserted motel, sharing his personal connection to the location and why he felt compelled to write about it. He explains that the Gulf Motel was a popular destination for LGBTQ+ tourists in the 1950s and 60s when most resorts and hotels were segregated.

As Blanco recites his poem, viewers are treated to beautiful shots of the Florida landscape and archival footage of the Gulf Motel in its prime. Blanco's words evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, but also a deep sadness for the erasure of the motel and the stories it held. Throughout the episode, New and Blanco discuss the themes of memory, displacement, and erasure that are woven throughout the poem.

In addition to the discussion between New and Blanco, the episode also features interviews with experts on Florida's history, including poet and scholar Dr. Laurence F. Berman, who provides context for the changing landscape of the state and its impact on marginalized communities. We also hear from residents of the town where the Gulf Motel once stood, who share their own memories and experiences of growing up in a place that has been forgotten by much of the world.

As the episode comes to a close, Blanco reflects on the importance of holding onto memories and preserving history. He explains that the Gulf Motel poem is just one piece of a larger project he's been working on to write about the disappearing places and cultures of Florida. Through his words, viewers are encouraged to consider the ways in which we can all work to preserve the stories and histories that make us who we are.

"Looking for the Gulf Motel" is a moving and thought-provoking episode of Poetry in America that highlights the power of poetry to capture the essence of a place and the stories within it. Through the eyes of Richard Blanco, viewers are taken on a journey through Florida's past and present, and inspired to think about the ways in which we can all work to preserve the places and stories that are important to us.