Apr 03 This poetry uses Mary Magdalene to explore troubles that bedevil modern life By Elizabeth Flock "Magdalene," a new book of poems from former New York Poet Laureate Marie Howe, who was raised Catholic, seeks to reenvision Mary Magdalene for the modern age -- and tackles some of our modern-day problems in the process. Continue reading
Mar 13 Watch poet Susan Howe read this Dickinson poem on life and death By Elizabeth Flock Leading contemporary poet and Dickinson scholar Susan Howe breaks down "There's a certain Slant of light," one of Emily Dickinson's most-beloved poems. Continue reading
Mar 07 How Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry is connecting Emmett Till with the violence in Chicago today By Elizabeth Flock Some worry that poet Gwendolyn Brooks is in danger of being forgotten. “The Golden Shovel Anthology,” a new book of poems honoring Brooks, seeks to make sure that doesn’t happen. Continue reading
Feb 27 As Trump addresses Congress, poets pen a people’s view By Elizabeth Flock A week after President Donald Trump took office, hundreds of people gathered in their homes, schools and places across the country to share stories about how they saw the state of the nation. “Very sad,” some said. “Becoming aware.”… Continue reading
Feb 13 Two fathers use poems to teach their kids about growing up black in America By Elizabeth Flock Their poems explore with tenderness and anxiety the joys and perils of being a father -- especially a black father -- and how to escape the mistakes of past generations. Continue reading
Feb 06 A poet’s quest to find the ‘flavor of unity’ in divisive times By Elizabeth Flock "I think my practice as a writer has become a search for how to be a good citizen in a troubled country," Kim Stafford said. "What I’m really trying to do with my poetry these days is search for common… Continue reading
Sep 01 Weekly Poem: Mark Ford reads ‘In Loco Parentis’ By Victoria Fleischer Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Mark Ford is the author of four collections of poetry, including "Soft Sift" and "Six Children." "Selected Poems" is his most recent and comprises work from three decades of writing. Continue reading
Jan 29 Carolyn Forche explores writing ‘as an outcry of the soul’ in ‘Poetry of Witness’ By artsdesk Carolyn Forche, co-editor of the anthology "Poetry of Witness," read Major John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Field." Carolyn Forche was deeply affected by her experience in countries at war. Forche is the co-editor of the new anthology "Poetry… Continue reading
Jan 06 Watch Doctor/Poet Rafael Campo finds rhythm through a stethoscope Poet-doctor Rafael Campo explores the relationship between language, empathy and healing. Continue watching
Dec 24 Watch Dick Davis reads poems three short Persian poems Dick Davis, a scholar of medieval Persian literature, reads poems by Jahan Malek Khatun. Continue watching