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National Book Award Winner Hayes Reads From Lighthead

Terrance Hayes, a poet and professor at Carnegie Mellon University, won the National Book Award earlier this week. Here, he reads a poem from his award-winning volume called Lighthead. 1:29

NewsHour Poetry Series

The Poetry Series, featured on the PBS NewsHour and funded by the Poetry Foundation, engages a broader audience with poetry through a series of thoughtful, in-depth reports on contemporary poets and poetry.

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New Anthology Celebrates 'Ascent' of African-American Poets
For nearly four decades, Charles Henry Rowell has been a talent scout of sorts, looking for young and often ignored African-American artists. His mission is to identify, nurture, promote and . . .

Gretel Ehrlich Reflects on the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami, Two Years Later
Poet and writer Gretel Ehrlich shares her reflections on the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011.
By Gretel Ehrlich

Poet David Ferry on Writing Verse, Reading Poems, Winning Awards at 88
David Ferry, a poet concerned with making connections to classical literature, was recently honored with the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize as well as the National Book Award for poetry.
By David Ferry

A Conversation with Poet Gerald Stern
At 87, Gerald Stern is one of the nation's most honored poets. He recently received the prestigious Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry from the Library of Congress for his . . .

Inauguration Poet Richard Blanco Hopes to Offer Words of Unity, Belonging
Richard Blanco, a Spanish born Cuban-American, is the first Latino, openly gay, as well as the youngest poet to ever at a presidential inauguration.

100 Years, 100 Poems: Celebrating the Centennial for Poetry Magazine
Jeffrey Brown speaks with Poetry editor Christian Wiman about the magazine's new centennial anthology.

The Poetry of Sandy
Poet Jennifer Fitzgerald uses poetry to explain the physical and emotional impact Sandy had on New York.

Sharon Olds's New Collection Chronicles the End of a Marriage
Poet Sharon Olds reads from her new book, Stag's Leap. 4:01

Finding Poetry in the Athleticism and Lingo of the Olympics
Writer and professor Priscila Uppal serves as "Poet in Residence" for Canadian Athletes Now, a non-profit group supporting Canada's athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.

On a Mission for Preservation, Poet Natalie Diaz Returns to Her Roots
Poet Natalie Diaz felt a calling to return to her reservation to help preserve the Mojave language, which is rapidly being lost.

New Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey 'Explores the Human Struggles We All Face'
The Library of Congress announced Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey as the 19th U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

US, UK Poets Laureate on Being Public Face for 'Solitary Act'
Jeffrey Brown sat down with UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and US Poet Laureate Philip Levine to reflect on their public roles as private poets.

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye: 'Telling a Story Helped Us Figure Out Who We Were'
Nye reflects on her Palestinian heritage, family, and the power of humanity. She also discusses her most recent compilation of work, Transfer. 4:58

Poet and Molecular Biologist Katherine Larson
Using her career as a molecular biologist as a starting point, Katherine Larson shapes her poems with descriptions of squid, suction cups and branchial hearts. 5:23

Poet Tony Hoagland Explores Species' “Romantic Moments”
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Tony Hoagland reads "Romantic Moment," a poem about a man and woman watching a nature documentary on a date. 2:39

Out of the Financial Crisis, a New Language for Poetry Emerges
In Money Shot, poet Armantrout reacts to financial crisis in verse.

National Book Award-winning poet Mark Doty reflects on Handel’s “Messiah”
Poet Mark Doty reflects on community bonds forged by Handel's “Messiah.” 4:52

In Anthology, Rita Dove Connects American Poets' Intergenerational Conversations
Rita Dove has won many awards in her career, including the Pulitzer Prize. But she was recently given what may be her biggest honor and challenge: sorting through poems from the last 100 years . . . 7:39

In Human Chain, Nobel-Winning Poet Seamus Heaney Digs Into the Past
In his native Ireland, he's known as "Famous Seamus," and indeed, Seamus Heaney—winner of the Nobel Prize in 1995—is that rare bird: a world-famous poet. 6:31

Poet Philip Schultz Details Lifelong Struggle with Dyslexia in New Memoir
Poet Philip Schultz details his lifelong struggle to overcome dyslexia in his new memoir, My Dyslexia. 4:13
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