What Happened

The Marginalian, the popular literary blog by Maria Popova, published a moving memorial piece titled “How to Live and How to Die” on February 15, 2026. The article centers on Emily Levine, a comedian and philosopher who died February 3, 2019, just as Popova’s book “Figuring” was being released.

The piece features an audio recording of Levine reading “Cold Solace” by Anna Belle Kaufman - the last poem she read during what Popova describes as their final “poetry retreat” in January 2019. These retreats were special getaways Popova organized after Levine’s terminal diagnosis in 2016, combining nature, conversation, creative cooking, and poetry readings that they recorded as “tender mementos.”

Why It Matters

This tribute illuminates the profound personal relationships that shape influential literary work. Popova credits Levine with opening “the doorway to the world of poetry” for her and acknowledges that neither “Figuring” nor “The Universe in Verse” would have existed without Levine’s influence. Levine appears in the first line of “Figuring’s” acknowledgments, underscoring her foundational role.

The article also demonstrates how creators process grief and preserve legacy through their platforms. By sharing this intimate recording and personal reflection, Popova transforms private loss into public art, embodying the piece’s central theme of leaving “something of sweetness and substance in the mouth of the world.”

Background

Emily Levine was a multifaceted performer who worked as both a comedian and philosopher, bringing intellectual rigor to entertainment. Her relationship with Popova began years before the terminal diagnosis, with Levine serving as a mentor figure who introduced Popova to poetry’s transformative power.

After Levine’s 2016 cancer diagnosis, their friendship deepened through the poetry retreats - intimate weekends that combined intellectual exploration with acceptance of mortality. These gatherings included unconventional elements like “inventive cooking” with foraged kelp that had previously served as a makeshift dog leash, reflecting Levine’s playful yet profound approach to life.

“The Universe in Verse,” Popova’s acclaimed poetry and science series that began in 2017, traces its origins directly to Levine’s influence. The inaugural event included Popova recounting with “ample affection and no small dose of embarrassment” the “incident of comical profundity” through which Levine introduced her to poetry.

What’s Next

This publication represents part of The Marginalian’s ongoing mission to explore literature, science, and philosophy through deeply personal lenses. Popova’s willingness to share such intimate material suggests her continued commitment to honoring influential figures who shaped her intellectual journey.

The piece also demonstrates how digital platforms can serve as lasting memorials, preserving voices and relationships that might otherwise be lost. The inclusion of Levine’s actual voice reading poetry creates a multimedia monument that extends beyond traditional written tributes.

For readers of The Marginalian, this piece offers insight into the personal foundations of Popova’s widely-read work, revealing how individual relationships can ripple outward to influence thousands of readers worldwide.