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.
December 12, 2005 - Former presidential candidate and Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who died over the weekend, appeared on Midday many times over the years. He reflected on politics, read poetry and talked baseball. A tour of the Midday archive showcases McCarthy's brilliance, wit and wisdom.
January 26, 2006 - Dominic Papatola, Minnesota Public Radio arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic, talks with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer about Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen.
April 13, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles students preparing for the first "Poetry Out Loud" competition in Minnesota.
April 18, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann and Dr. Jon Hallberg share annual dose of the poetry of physicians and patients.
April 24, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann talks with Duluth’s Poet Laurete Bart Sutter, who talks about his role. Sutter also shares a poem on his city.
May 8, 2006 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesota poet James Armstrong, who talks about his volume "Blue Lash." The poems look at the complex nature of Lake Superior. Armstrong also reads a poem from book.
June 7, 2006 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews local poet who is a part of this year’s Poets on the Buses metro event. Poet reads a poem she will be performing.
July 20, 2006 - MPR’s Steven John interviews Carol Connolly, the first ever poet laureate of the city of St. Paul. Connolly talks about becoming a poet and reads her first poem ever finished, “Last Resort.”
August 25, 2006 - Between visits to the spin art booth and cookie stand, Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball sat down, took a look around, and wrote this.
August 28, 2006 - It was a bit rainy this morning at the Minnesota State Fair, so Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball headed inside, where she got a demonstration of a trade from the past; that of woodworking.