MPR has had a keen ear for capturing the words and meter of poetry. Minnesota is home to many nationally renowned poets, city and state poet laureates, spoken word artists, and individuals young and old that have simply created work for the sake of the form. The state is also a magnet for poets all throughout the world. Here is a wonderful breadth of those readings, speeches, thoughts, and histories of the poet.
January 30, 1984 - Twin Cities poet Roseann Lloyd reads from her work as part of a series of readings presented by COMPAS. She read in conjunction with novelist Alice Walker at The Saint Paul Hotel.
June 6, 1984 - MPR’s John Biewen profiles poet Thomas McGrath. Report includes excerpts of interview and readings by McGrath.
November 22, 1984 - A rebroadcast of MPR’s Kim Hodgson visiting poet Bill Holm in Minneota, Minnesota, and talking with Holm about his small town and the people who live there.
February 14, 1985 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton speaks with local English Professor and poet Michael Dennis Brown on the state of modern love poetry today. Brown speaks on poetry’s decreasing popularity in comparison to other forms of media and expression. He also talks about his expectations for the future of poetry and how he hopes it evolves and grows with the world’s changes.
February 18, 1985 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports on Minnesota’s second poet laureate, Laurene Tibbetts. Segment includes brief interview and reading.
November 10, 1986 - Minnesota poet and storyteller, Robert Bly, answers listener questions about his writing and his relatively new interest in men's groups. Bly also reads some of his poetry.
January 24, 1987 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on local Twin Cities version of Burns supper and celebration of Rabbie Burns, poet of the Scots. The day includes music, food and celebration of the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
May 6, 1987 - MPR’s Beth Friend interviews Soviet poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. He answers listener questions about his work and his impressions of artistic expression in the USSR.
September 26, 1987 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports on Minnesota Poets in the Schools Program (now COMPAS). Includes interviews with John Caddy and Randy Jennings, who describe program. Caddy also reads poem by a fourth grade student at St. Croix Catholic School in Stillwater, entitled “Wolf, Dark of NIght.”
January 8, 1988 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Minnesota poet and author Bill Holm about teacher exchange program. Holm also answers listener questions.