I worry that our focus on raising the level of education in America has put extraordinary emphasis on training students in practical subjects that seem to lead more directly to work and jobs, leaving behind study of the arts and humanities that can tap a spiritual side of us that should not be ignored. In … Continue reading Poetry, Arts Unlock Our Understanding Of Life (via HartfordCourant)
Macon lost its elder statesman of poetry, Seaborn Jones, last month. The author of five books of poetry, who was also widely published in literary magazines, was 71. Macon had such a statesman in part because he was not alone in creating poetry here. Jones was a friend and mentor to several Macon poets, and … Continue reading Poetry runs deep in fabric of Georgia city (via Washington Times)
What: "Voices of Poetry, an East County Poets and Artists Showcase" When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 Where: Barnes and Noble, 5709 Lone Tree Way, Antioch (California) Info: Luella Hill-Dudley, sistahswithink@gmail.com or visit http://www.sistahswithink.com Cost: Free One might call her an accidental author. Twenty years ago, Luella Hill-Dudley had been planning to self-publish a book of … Continue reading Sistahs With Ink hosts poetry event at book store (via Contra Costa Times)
ZORA HOWARD has always been right on time. She was the youngest poet to win the Urban Word NYC Grand Slam finals at the age of 13. Three years ago, at 16, she became the first ever New York City Youth Poet Laureate. And now, as the youngest member of the collective The Strivers Row, … Continue reading Zora Howard: In the ‘First’ Person (via Verses & Flow)
Yesterday I found myself in the position of requesting permission from a poet. Specifically, I was asking to weave two lovely lines of “On Listening to the Two-Headed Lady Blow Her Horn” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (from “The Gospel of Barbecue”) into my next novel. You could say my request was based on surrender; in … Continue reading Michael Perry: You don’t have to get poetry just taste (via Wisconsin State Journal)
This year's Individual World Poetry Slam, sponsored by the Arizona Humanities Council, was thought-provoking to say the least. The event lasted four days at multiple local venues, and led up to a final bout at Marquee Theatre on Saturday, October 11. The iWPS finals offered exposure not only to this year's top contenders, but to … Continue reading Porsha O Crowned 2014 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion in Tempe (via Phoenix New Times)
Despite his stature as former U.S. poet laureate and his achievement of the nearly impossible — great commercial success as a living poet — Billy Collins cringes at the idea of being a leader. "Leadership to me suggests that there’s a place to lead the person to," he says. "Whereas poetry is actually the home of ambiguity, ambivalence and uncertainty." Collins, 73, nevertheless agreed to … Continue reading Billy Collins on life, death and poetry (via Washington Post)
Oct. 7, 1955: Allen Ginsberg reads 'Howl' for the first time, at San Francisco’s Six Gallery Before Allen Ginsberg invoked the ire of authorities with the frank (and frequent) depiction of sexual acts in “Howl” — “in empty lots & diner backyards, moviehouses’ rickety rows, on mountaintops in caves or with gaunt waitresses in familiar … Continue reading Drunk Poetry Fans and the First Reading of ‘Howl’ (via TIME)
Each Wednesday, an eccentric group of people—all spoken word enthusiasts–gathers at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge for one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The Boston Poetry Slam is devoted “to the craft, performance, and enjoyment of poetry,” according to its website. For just $3, you can hear some of the area’s best poets, up-and-coming and … Continue reading Nightlife: Boston Poetry Slam (via BU Today)
Like a master painter creates life in a canvas with paint strokes, a slam poet uses words to provoke thought on deeper societal issues, make others laugh or cry or produce feelings of sadness, indignation, reflectiveness or euphoria in audiences. During the upcoming 11th annual Individual World Poetry Slam poets from across the country will … Continue reading 10/8-10/11: Individual World Poetry Slam in Phoenix (via AZCentral)
