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.
February 8, 1995 - MPR’s Beth Friend interviews American poet Christopher Merrill, who shares his frustration on the lack of concern in arts community of the Bosnian War tragedy. Segment also includes Merrill reading Bosnian poetry.
February 24, 1995 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Chickasaw novelist and poet Linda Hogan reads about the langauge of corn and the land.
March 4, 1995 - A reading of the poem "Skating After School."
March 8, 1995 - Sami poet and artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää discusses teaching local kids and writers cultural tradition of Sami people. Segment includes Valkeapää reading poem.
March 10, 1995 - MPR’s Beth Friend has a phone interview with poet Christopher Merrill about his teaching experience in Sarajevo.
March 21, 1995 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Minneapolis poet Dave Kapell, inventor of Magnetic Poetry Kit. They discuss the creation and interest of product.
April 29, 1995 - MPR’s Stephen Smith presents an audio obituary of poet Jane Kenyon, who passed away on April 22nd, 1995. Segment includes brief interview with poet, reading of poem, and musical elements.
September 23, 1995 - Black poet Yolanda Johnson shares thoughts on her purpose as a writer and reads from her work.
October 7, 1995 - St. Paul poet Kevin Fitzpatrick reads numerous poems.
October 21, 1995 - Southern Minnesota poet Michael Hall talks about his poetry and reads from “Spam River Journal.”