Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'poetry'

Chris Knight On Mountain Stage

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:26:00 EST

Based out of his tiny, rustic hometown of Slaughters, Ky., songwriter and guitarist Chris Knight writes backwoods poetry with introspection he's clearly gained by living the words he writes. On this Mountain Stage appearance, Knight performs songs from his latest album, Heart of Stone, as well as the title cut from his previous record, Enough Rope.

Giovanni Finds Funky Beats To Teach Poetry To Kids

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:20:00 EDT

Poet Nikki Giovanni says her new book, Hip Hop Speaks To Children, aims to teach children poetry, history and culture through cadence. Poems by such greats as Langston Hughes are set to blues, jazz or gospel music.

Nikki Giovanni Says Hip Hop Essential For Kids

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:56:00 EDT

In her latest project, poet and wordsmith Nikki Giovanni brings together poetry and hip hop that's suitable for young ears. NPR's Tony Cox speaks with Giovanni about the new book, Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat.

'Bird's Nest' Ballads: Olympic National Anthems

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:23:00 EDT

As medal-winners step up to the podium in this year's Summer Olympics, commentator Miles Hoffman says, we're bound to hear quite a few national anthems, some of which come equipped with bad poetry and stilted music.

Poetry Beneath The 'Senselessness'

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:31:00 EDT

In Horacio Castellanos Moya's dazzling novel, a boozing hack writer chronicling the stories of Central American natives finds both poetry and paranoia.

Robert Redford Fights Global Warming With Poetry

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:33:00 EDT

Robert Redford has been fighting on behalf of the environment via films and Congress for over thirty years. His latest approach to increase awareness of global warming does it in rhyme.

James Joyce's Poems Get a Musical Facelift

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:35:00 EDT

In 1907, shortly after publishing his book of love poetry titled Chamber Music, James Joyce penned a letter to his brother Stanislaus: "Some of the verses are pretty enough to be put to music. I hope someone will do so, someone that knows old English music such as I like." A century later, 36 electronic, folk and rock musicians have done just that.

Poet E. Ethelbert Miller on Fatherhood

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT

In celebration of Father's Day, Host Liane Hansen speaks with poet E. Ethelbert Miller. He reads his own poetry, which has been inspired by fatherhood. Miller chairs the board of the Institute for Policy Studies and is director of the African-American Resources Center at Howard University.

Vandals Forced to Study Poetry of Frost

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EDT

In December, more than two dozen teenagers were arrested for breaking into and vandalizing the one-time summer residence of Robert Frost. Their punishment? Attend a class about the American poet. Novelist and Middlebury College professor Jay Parini, who taught the class, talks with Robert Siegel.

Ani DiFranco in Concert

Fri, 30 May 2008 21:03:00 EDT

Ani DiFranco took the stage with her trademark candor and fearlessness. She called the songs she played, "happy songs", saying they are "kinda unexplored territory for me." The singer and author recited poetry between songs, and joked with the audience about having to replace the curse words in her songs since her performance was broadcast live on WXPN.

Roethke's Poetry Rooted in Humble Beginnings

Sun, 25 May 2008 17:35:00 EDT

The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Theodore Roethke's work is known for its clarity, intensity and haunting images. And throughout his life, a major source of inspiration and comfort came from his childhood home in Saginaw, Mich.

Soldier's Mother Bridges Distance with Poetry

Sun, 25 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

When Frances Richey's son deployed to Iraq in 2004, their relationship was strained by their very different views about the war. While her son was gone, Frances Richey wrote poetry about her own experience and her son's. Richey speaks with NPR's Guy Raz about her poems and the bond they helped renew with her son.

Quake's Artistic Aftershocks: Chengdu Poetry

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Chengdu, China, is known as a city of writers — with an especially strong community of poets. Last week's earthquake already has made its mark. Poet He Xiaozhu says he wrote a poem about the quake both for those who died and as a way to release what's in his heart.

Hayes Carll, Finding 'Trouble' Where He Can

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:57:00 EDT

Fresh Air music critic Ken Tucker reviews Trouble in Mind, the new album from country singer Hayes Carll. The 32-year-old Texan says his music is inspired by Beat poetry, Bob Dylan and singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt.

'Plague of Doves,' Multigenerational Murder Mystery

Sun, 04 May 2008 08:36:00 EDT

Louise Erdrich, who has written 12 novels and volumes of poetry, is known for her masterful storytelling. The author talks about her new book, The Plague of Doves, which focuses on a senseless, horrific crime and a Native American reservation in North Dakota.

'Poetry Out Loud' Winner Reads 'Frederick Douglass'

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:22:00 EDT

The nationwide contest Poetry Out Loud draws 200,000 high school students who recite — by heart — classic and contemporary poems. This year's winner was Shawntay Henry from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Henry read "Frederick Douglass" by Robert E. Hayden.

Lyrical Alchemist Al Young Combining Poetry, Blues

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:36:00 EDT

In honor of National Poetry Month, Farai Chideya talks with Al Young, California's Poet Laureate, about the art and joys of poetry. His latest book, Something About the Blues, includes a CD of Young reading his works, often with jazz accompaniment.

A Spring Bouquet of Poetry

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:18:00 EDT

As National Poetry Month draws to a close, we recognize five new volumes that celebrate the form, including verse probing the darkness at the edge of everyday life from U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic and hard questions posed in comic fashion from Jane Shore.

California Poet Laureate Al Young's 'Blues'

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Al Young took to writing poetry, as he describes it in one poem, "to make out the sound of my own background music." Now California's poet laureate, he writes about the blues, jazz and life in the geographically and culturally diverse state.

In Praise of Poetry

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:02:00 EDT

April is National Poetry Month, which celebrates, among other things, the power of poetry. E. Ethelbert Miller reads and discusses several of his poems with Liane Hansen. Miller is director of the African-American Resources Center at Howard University.

Pocket a Verse to Celebrate Poetry Month

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:29:39 EDT

In pockets of pants, shirts and jackets today, Americans might have something to say in the form of a poem they'll try to share with family and friends and all others who dare to listen to poetry in celebration of Poetry Month across the nation. It's the first National Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Poet's Intimate Stanzas Explore Grief and Salvation

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EST

In his new poetry collection, the acclaimed poet Li-Young Lee looks back on his extraordinary family history in meditations on suffering, prayer, death and love. Though his poetry is personal, Lee says it describes universal emotions and experiences.

Ted Kooser Shares the Poetry of Valentine's Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

Since 1986, Ted Kooser has written an annual Valentine's Day poem and sent it to an ever-growing list of women. It's a project the former U.S. poet laureate ended last year. But now, he's collected those poems in a new book, Valentines.

Quirky Poetry Collection a Salute to Silly Stanzas

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

In Calef Brown's Flamingos on a Roof, mosquitoes wear tuxedoes, dogs sport plaid suits and thunder is a cafe staple. His new collection of poems and paintings creates a carefree world full of alliteration, frivolity and fun.

Muldoon Is New Poetry Editor for 'New Yorker'

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:00:00 EST

The New Yorker magazine has chosen a new poetry editor. Irish poet and Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Muldoon takes the job after a 20-year stint by Alice Quinn. We hear Muldoon read a poem from his new collection, Horse Latitudes.