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.
October 20, 1993 - MPR’s Joe Follansbee interviews former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy who shares a poem on deer hunting, equinox, and views of poets.
October 23, 1993 - Twin Cities poet Michael Dennis Browne reads "Potatoes, October."
November 1, 1993 - A reading from an anthology of poems, “Mouth to Mouth: Poems by Twelve Contemporary Mexican Women,” published in 1993 by Milkweed Editions (Minneapolis, MN). Excerpt is from an introductory narrative and poem written by poet Isabel Fraire.
November 5, 1993 - On this First Friday program, MPR’s Kathy Wurzer presents a story collection that includes: Alison Owings on German women during Third Reich; Helen Rubinstein on family and the Holocaust; Minnesota Orchestra celebrates its 90th birthday; Vickie Abrahamson on trends; MPR’s Euan Kerr report on international Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA); and Robert Alden Rubin on poetry to read out loud.
November 5, 1993 - On this First Friday segment, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Robert Alden Rubin, editor of "Poetry To Read Out Loud," about the various forms and views of poetry. Includes readings of various poems.
December 3, 1993 - On this winter holiday special First Friday, MPR’s Lynne Warfel-Holt presents a story collection that includes: Minnesota Center for the Book Arts book, “Swimming Snow”, by Paulette Bates Alden; Leslie Brody, book columnist for Elle magazine sharing book list; Nuyorican Poets Café poetry slam; Best of British TV ads at the Walker Art Center; and Beth Gilleland reading a seasonal tale.
December 3, 1993 - An interview with Bob Holman and Tracie Morris, of New York’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe, discuss poetry slam taking place in Twin Cities. Both also do a poetry reading.
February 11, 1994 - This Voices from the Heartland feature presents Marlene Reuber reading poem "It Is Enough" by Ruth Daigon.
March 5, 1994 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy on his thoughts of poetry and politics.
March 10, 1994 - MPR’s Tom Meersman talks with Faroese poet Roy Paterson, who discusses the Faroe Islands and of keeping tradition of culture. Paterson reads a poem in both English and in Faroese.