Friday, November 6, 2020

"Peacock Display," by David Wagoner

 A fine poem by David Wagoner, widely acclaimed poet and former professor of creative writing at the University of Washington. Reading/video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqCwk3Y1CQo

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

"Little Prayer," by Danez Smith

 Reading/video of short poem by Danez Smith, a poet from St. Paul. Smith's books include Homie and Don't Call Us Dead: check 'em out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7EEta7ejOs

"I Many Times Thought Peace Had Come," by Emily Dickinson

 Reading/video of a short poem, #912, by Dickinson, and a happy [let us hope] voting day to you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BclJi99wcpw

"Magpies," by Judith Wright

 I had a long conversation with a magpie when I was about 5 years old. Very cordial. A reading/video of a poem by the acclaimed Australian poet Judith Wright:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi4vDZITGcM

Sunday, November 1, 2020

"Young and Old," by Charles Kingsley

 Reading/video of a poem by the Victorian Anglican priest, progressive reformer, novelist, and poet Charles Kingsley. The poem is the source, or a source, of the old saying "every dog has its day." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLpJreYwGQ4

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

New Anthology of African American Poetry

 

Kevin Young has edited a new anthology of African American poetry--just published by the Library of America. It includes poets not usually seen in anthologies as well as poems not usually seen by poets we're accustomed to seeing. It's a great book. 


African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song (LOA #333): A Library of America Anthology (The Library of America) edited by Kevin Young

"Thank God," by Orhan Veli Kanik

 Reading/video of a short poem by Turkish poet Orhan Veli Kanik:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJz9V9SKQaU

"The Secret Sits," by Robert Frost

 A couplet by Mr. Frost, reading and video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-KMBHfS3OU

Sunday, October 25, 2020