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.
September 29, 2008 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on members of Palabristas, a Twin Cities' spoken word group that explores their love of poetry and performance by writing about what it's like to be Latinos in the Midwest.
October 1, 2008 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the appearance of sidewalk poetry being created throughout the city as a public art project designed to bring more poetry into everyday life. Roberts interviews Marcus Young, the creator of the project, as well as, one of the poets and other residents, about the concrete verse penned by St. Paulites.
November 27, 2008 - We gather together with best-selling author Harold Kushner, and a perfect blessing from poet Galway Kinnell. With music and stories for Thanksgiving, it's Giving Thanks, a Celebration of Fall, Food, and Gratitude.
December 16, 2008 - MPR’s Euan Kerr sits down in a café to talk with poet Todd Boss.
January 7, 2009 - Minneapolis writer Dobby Gibson discusses his collection of poetry called "Skirmish." Gibson says it's a reference to the many small battles contained between the covers, including an ongoing battle between himself and his writing.
February 4, 2009 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic and self-described poetry rube Dominic Papatola about the state of poetry in Minnesota. They also discuss Graywolf Press book of poetry by Elizabeth Alexander, who recited one of her works at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
February 26, 2009 - MPR’s Marianne Combs presents a profile of acclaimed Minnesota poet and essayist Bill Holm, who passed away at the age of 65. Segment includes excerpts of Bill Holm speaking, and remembrances from those who knew him.
February 27, 2009 - Essayist and poet Bill Holm, who was nationally known for his distinctly Minnesotan writing, died at age 65. On this program, Midday features some highlights from Holm's many public appearances and rememberences from those who knew him.
March 9, 2009 - Some of the state's best high school poets competed for the state championship, with eighteen students from across the state took part in the 'Poetry Out Loud' contest. They were judged by a panel on seven criteria, including physical presence and level of difficulty. The champion, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan, was named after three rounds of poems.
April 16, 2009 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the University of Minnesota three-day international conference celebrating the work of Minnesota poet Robert Bly.