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.
June 22, 1979 - Minnnesota poet Joe Paddock shows his perceptions of the migration of wild geese across the Minnesota prairie in poem “The Geese.” Also includes musical elements.
July 7, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman presents highlights from Hispanic festival on the West Side of St. Paul. This was the first El Midwest Canto Al Pueblo (aka - Song to the People). Program includes interviews with artists, music breaks, poetry reading, and other sounds from and about the festival.
August 31, 1979 - Author Carol Bly of Madison, Minnesota reads from her poem "The Gift of Splendid Sound."
November 7, 1979 - An interview with Marisha Chamberlain, who compares her new play "Snow in the Virgin Islands" to her poetry, and who talks about the source of her play.
November 21, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews writer Meridel Le Sueur and choreographer Margaret Fargnoli about dance interpretation of Le Sueur’s poetry.
December 1, 1979 - On this Weekend program, Joe and Nancy Paddock speak on farm life and read poetry at the Farmers Union Convention.
December 12, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews Grace Paley, writer and activist, who reads from her short stories and talks about her life, writing, and political involvement.
February 25, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews poet and activist Marge Piercy. Segment also includes Piercy reading two of her poems.
March 8, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan profiles and interviews poet and novelist Marge Piercy.
April 8, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews famed Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. They discuss the changes in attitude of beat poetry and his work.