NewsHour Poetry Series | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

New Anthology Celebrates 'Ascent' of African-American Poets

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:43:00 EDT

Jeffrey Brown talks with longtime literary editor Charles Henry Rowell about his passion for promoting undiscovered and underappreciated African-American poets and artists. His latest effort is a new anthology called "Angles of Ascent."

Poet Gerald Stern Looks Back on a Career Spent Reading and Writing

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:48:00 EDT

Jeffrey Brown talks with Gerald Stern, one of America's most acclaimed poets. At 87, Stern received the Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry from the Library of Congress for his collection, "Early Collected Poems: 1965-1992." Stern reflects on his working class upbringing and 70 years of writing verse.

A Writer Reflects on the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami, Two Years Later

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:48:00 EDT

Poet and writer Gretel Ehrlich shares her reflections on the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, where she traveled to document the physical and emotional aftermath. Best known for her nature and travel writing, Ehrlich has authored 13 books, including three of poetry.

Poet David Ferry on Writing Verse, Reading Poems, Winning Awards at 88

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:48:00 EDT

Jeffrey Brown profiles David Ferry, a poet concerned with making connections to classical literature. Ferry was recently honored with the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize as well as the National Book Award for poetry. At age 88, he is currently tackling a translation of Virgil's "Aeneid."

Inauguration Poet Richard Blanco Hopes to Offer Words of Unity, Belonging

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:27:00 EDT

Jeffrey Brown talks with Richard Blanco, the poet chosen to read at President Obama's second swearing-in, about what it means to be a part of the festivities. Blanco, a Spanish born Cuban-American, is the first Latino, openly gay, as well as the youngest poet to ever at a presidential inauguration.

Greek Poets Muse Austerity Measures: 'We'll Hawk the Parthenon to Buy Our Bread'

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 18:45:00 EDT

We examine the Greek economic crisis from a different angle -- from the perspective of poets, and through the prism of history, modern and ancient. Jeffrey Brown talks to poet and classicist A.E. Stallings, a resident of Athens for more than a decade, and poet Titos Patrikios, who has seen other dark times in Greek history.

100 Years, 100 Poems: Celebrating the Centennial for Poetry Magazine

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:45:00 EDT

"Print the best poetry written today, in whatever style, genre or approach." Those were the ambitious words written 100 years ago by Harriet Monroe when she founded Poetry, now the oldest monthly journal devoted to verse. Jeffrey Brown speaks with the magazine's editor, poet Christian Wiman, about a new anniversary collection.

After Sandy, Poet Describes 'What It Means to Stand in the Rubble of Your Life'

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:50:00 EDT

Jennifer Fitzgerald's family and friends have been greatly impacted by superstorm Sandy, and though she immediately got involved in relief efforts in her Staten Island community, she felt that her poetry would be another way to reach a much larger audience and explain the physical and emotional impact Sandy had on New York.

Poet Joy Harjo Shares Words of Celebration and Memory for Thanksgiving

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:51:00 EDT

Joy Harjo, who was born into the Muscogee Creek Nation in Oklahoma, describes herself as a poet, musician, dreamer and questioner. Her poem "Perhaps the World Ends Here" is particularly fitting as people gather around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Poet Sharon Olds' New Collection Mourns and Heals the End of a Marriage

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:50:00 EDT

Sharon Olds shares work from her latest collection of poetry, "Stag's Leap," a book grieving and healing at the end of a marriage. Olds also talks about her partner's New Hampshire nature retreat where she spends her days, about finding her poetic voice in her 30s, and the "usefulness" of poetry.

Poet Billy Collins Reflects on 9/11 Victims in 'The Names'

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:45:00 EDT

Billy Collins was the U.S. poet laureate at the time of the 9/11 attacks. A year later, he wrote "The Names" in honor of the victims. He read the poem before a special joint session of Congress held in New York City in 2002, and reads it again now.

Finding Poetry in the Athleticism and Lingo of the Olympics

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EDT

Writer and professor Priscila Uppal is serving as "Poet in Residence" for Canadian Athletes Now, a non-profit group supporting Canada's athletes at the 2012 London Olympics. Uppal talks to Jeffrey Brown about her residency and where she's found inspiration, as well as sharing some of her poetry.

On a Mission for Preservation, Poet Natalie Diaz Returns to Her Roots

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:36:00 EDT

After spending several years away from home, 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'

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:49:00 EDT

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey was named the 19th U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry, the Library of Congress announced Thursday -- noting her ability to "dig beneath the surface of history." The NewsHour first profiled her in 2006 for her third book of poems, "Native Guard." Jeffrey Brown reports.

U.S., U.K. Poets Laureate on Being Public Face for 'Solitary Act'

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:45:00 EDT

"A poet should be private and invisible," says U.K. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, "This is a different way of being a poet, to be laureate." Meanwhile, "I think we witness things, but are not witnessed," says U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine. They reflect with Jeffrey Brown on having very public roles as private poets.

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye: 'Telling a Story Helped Us Figure Out Who We Were'

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:50:00 EDT

When shaping verse, poet Naomi Shihab Nye reflects on her Palestinian heritage, family and the power of humanity. Nye discusses her most recent compilation of work, "Transfer," and what inspires her to continue crafting thoughtful and expressive poems.

Remembering 'Brilliant' Banjo Player Earl Scruggs, Poet Adrienne Rich

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:44:00 EDT

Judy Woodruff reports on the death of widely read and influential poet Adrienne Rich, who died Tuesday at age 82, then Jeffrey Brown takes a look back at the life and groundbreaking sound of banjo legend and bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs with Bela Fleck, another Grammy-winning banjo player.

Dissecting Prose and Squid With Biologist, Poet Katherine Larson

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:48:00 EDT

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. She won last year's Yale Series of Younger Poets competition and was recognized as a poet of "genuine promise" with the Kate Tufts Discovery Award last month.

Poet Tony Hoagland Explores Species' 'Romantic Moments'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:48:00 EDT

In honor of Valentine's Day, poet Tony Hoagland reads "Romantic Moment" -- a poem about a man and woman who have just watched a nature documentary on a date, and how their expressions of affection stack up against those of leopard frogs, chimpanzees, bull penguins and so on.

Poet Mark Doty Reflects on Community Bonds Forged by Handel's 'Messiah'

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:48:00 EDT

Poet Mark Doty, winner of the National Book Award, reflects on one of the great traditions of the holiday season: Handel's "Messiah."

In Anthology, Rita Dove Connects American Poets' Intergenerational Conversations

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:45:00 EDT

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove was recently given what may be the biggest honor -- and challenge -- of her career: sorting through poems from the last 100 years to create "The Penguin Anthology of 20th Century American Poetry." Jeffrey Brown and Dove discuss the task that took more than four years.

In 'Human Chain,' Nobel-Winning Poet Seamus Heaney Digs Into the Past

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:42:00 EDT

In his native Ireland, he's known as "Famous Seamus," and indeed, Seamus Heaney -- winner of the Nobel Prize in 1995 -- is a world-famous poet. Now 72, his new collection, "Human Chain," contains poems that are, as always for him, grounded in the physical world but also take a look back.

Transtromer, Swedish Poet With 'Tinge of Modernism, Surrealism,' Wins Nobel

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT

The 2011 Nobel Prize for Literature has gone to Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer, the first poet to win the award since 1996. Judges selected Transtromer because, they wrote, "through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality."

Poet Philip Schultz Details Life-Long Struggle in New Memoir 'My Dyslexia'

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:55:00 EDT

Poet Philip Schultz details his life-long struggle to overcome dyslexia in his new memoir. Jeffrey Brown profiles the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet's latest work, "My Dyslexia."

Poet Donald Hall Reflects on Love, Death and New Hampshire

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:33:00 EDT

"Love, death and New Hampshire," Donald Hall once said when asked what he writes about. It remains true in the former U.S. Poet Laureate's newly published book of poems, "The Back Chamber."

Poet, Activist Ernesto Cardenal Explores Cosmos, Humanity in Verse

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:45:00 EDT

Ernesto Cardenal, one of Latin America's most renowned, but also controversial, poets and political activists, has shifted his recent work to reflect on humanity's connection to nature and relationship to the universe. Ray Suarez speaks with the poet about his life and writing.

Working-Class Poet Levine Named Nation's Next Laureate

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:33:00 EDT

Philip Levine, a former auto worker who became a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, was named Wednesday as the next poet laureate of the United States. Jeffrey Brown profiled Levine last year.

Floods, Fires, Storms Are Fodder for Centuries of Poems

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:50:00 EDT

In a year of floods, fires and storms making headlines around the world, poet and editor Jeffrey Yang chronicles how writers have grappled with the power of nature over the centuries in his new book. Jeffrey Brown and Yang discuss the poetic perspective of the beauty and power of nature.

'Life on Mars' Author Explores Humans' Relationship With Universe Through Poetry

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:50:00 EDT

"Life on Mars," Tracy K. Smith's third book, explores the cosmos through words. The Princeton creative writing professor and poet reflects on the relationship between our lives and the universe at her Brooklyn home.

Former Poet Laureate Pinsky: Poetry 'Too Fundamental, Large' to Need Advocate

Fri, 20 May 2011 18:44:00 EDT

Much of former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky's writing has focused on American life. He takes a look back at his career with Jeffrey Brown.