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.
January 30, 1984 - Twin Cities poet Roseann Lloyd reads from her work as part of a series of readings presented by COMPAS. Reading is in conjunction with novelist Alice Walker at The Saint Paul Hotel. Lloyd is introduced by David Mura.
June 6, 1984 - MPR’s John Biewen profiles poet Thomas McGrath. Report includes excerpts of interview and readings by McGrath.
November 22, 1984 - A rebroadcast of MPR’s Kim Hodgson visiting poet Bill Holm in Minneota, Minnesota, and talking with Holm about his small town and the people who live there.
February 14, 1985 - MPR’s Doug Hamilton speaks with local English professor and poet Michael Dennis Browne on the state of modern love poetry today. Browne speaks on poetry’s decreasing popularity in comparison to other forms of media and expression. He also talks about his expectations for the future of poetry and how he hopes it evolves and grows with the world’s changes.
February 18, 1985 - MPR’s Kate Moos profiles Minnesota’s second poet laureate, Laurene Tibbetts. Segment includes brief interview and reading.
February 28, 1986 - As part of the West Suburban Black History Month celebration, Dr. Maya Angelou visits Twin Cities and speaks at a meeting held by the Hopkins School District about the role literature plays in the lives of all people.
May 1, 1986 - Poet, author, and farmer Wendell Berry speaks at the College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph. The speech is entitled "In Defense of the Family Farm."
May 8, 1986 - Midday presents the late John Ciardi delivering an address called "Why Read?" Following speech, a segment of New Letters on the Air with Ciardi reading some of his poetry (The Collectors; The Glory; Happiness; For Myra, John L. and Benn; Mutterings; Obsolescence; Habitat; and Perversity).
November 10, 1986 - Minnesota poet and storyteller Robert Bly, answers listener questions about his writing and his relatively new interest in men's groups. Bly also reads some of his poetry.
January 24, 1987 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on local Twin Cities version of Burns supper and celebration of “Rabbie” Burns, poet of the Scots. The day includes music, food and celebration of the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns.