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.
August 29, 2006 - Minneapolis Leslie Bell visits the Miracle of Birth Center where you can see all sorts of farm animals giving birth…including sheep.
August 30, 2006 - One of the oldest traditions at the Minnesota State Fair is experiencing Ye Old Mill, which is celebrating its ninety-third year at the fair in 2006. Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball took a ride, and sent us this.
August 31, 2006 - Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball snuck into the poultry barn a bit early this morning, to hear what it sounds like when hundreds of roosters wake up together.
September 1, 2006 - On this Minnesota Public Radio day at the State Fair, Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball has a traditional State Fair breakfast - a bag of mini-donuts.
September 4, 2006 - Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball reads a poem in honor of the closing day at the 2006 Minnesota State Fair.
September 4, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann talks with Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball about her experience watching and writing about the Minnesota State Fair.
October 2, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann talks with St. Paul poet Alex Lemon about his book collection of poems is called "Mosquito." Lemon reads from book.
October 11, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews poet Tess Gallagher and asks her to read selected poems.
October 20, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill talks with Bart Sutter, Duluth’s first-ever Poet Laureate. Sutter discusses the honor and reads a poem.
December 25, 2006 - Stage Sessions, with Minnesota poet and author Bill Holm and host Heather, bring together an eclectic Christmas show featuring an unexpected mix of literature, music and more.