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Poems and Poetry on NPR: Reviews, Interviews, Readings Explore NPR's poetry reviews, readings, author interviews and recommendations.
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Poetry

Explore NPR's poetry reviews, readings, author interviews and recommendations.

Books That Are Just What the Doctor Ordered

As summer officially arrives this week, it's time to think about books to buy, borrow or check out of the library. Dr. Abraham Verghese, director of the Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, offers a brief reading list.

Books That Are Just What the Doctor Ordered

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U.S. Poetry's New Chief: Donald Hall

Newly announced Poet Laureate Donald Hall says he will work to improve poetry's standing the United States, seeking to provide new inspiration to the medium. Hall reads from three of his poems: "Old Roses," "Man in the Dead Machine," and "Weeds and Peonies," which is about his late wife, the poet Jane Kenyon.

U.S. Poetry's New Chief: Donald Hall

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Leonard Cohen's 'Book of Longing'

Fresh Air

Leonard Cohen's poetry career began 50 years ago with the 1956 publication of Let Us Compare Mythologies. His new volume of poetry is called Book of Longing. Cohen, known better as the deep-voiced writer of songs that straddle the folk-rock fence, is also working on an upcoming album to be released later this year.

Leonard Cohen's 'Book of Longing'

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Oxford Updates Its Collection of American Poems

Even a real poetry lover might find a 1,132-page anthology a bit daunting. But The Oxford Book of American Poetry is less for heavy lifting and more for browsing, in pursuit of old and new poetic pals.

Oxford Updates Its Collection of American Poems

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A Clam's Poetic Demise: 'Resignation Letter'

Death is no big deal for a clam. So says poet Dean Young. We hear his cooking-inspired poem "Resignation Letter." Young teaches poetry at the Iowa Writers Workshop, his most recent book of poetry is called Elegy On Toy Piano.

A Clam's Poetic Demise: 'Resignation Letter'

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For Hirsch, Reading Poetry Is Fundamental

In Poet's Choice, author Edward Hirsch makes a case that poetry is "a human fundamental, like music." Hirsch talks poetry with Scott Simon and reads poems by Kathy Fagan and William Matthews.

For Hirsch, Reading Poetry Is Fundamental

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Ted Kooser, the nation's poet laureate, has been traveling around the country talking to librarians, school children and other groups about poetry. One of his stops was in Kansas City, Mo., where he led a workshop with some of Hallmark's greeting card writers.

Hallmark Writers Get Advice from Poet Laureate

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End-of-Year Reflections from Ted Kooser

As we reach the end of the year, U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser joins host Melissa Block to read a reflection — in prose — on welcoming in a new year, from his book Local Wonders.

End-of-Year Reflections from Ted Kooser

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Billy Collins on 'The Trouble with Poetry'

Poet Billy Collins says the central theme of poetry is death. He manages to ruminate on this in a manner both whimsical and poignant in his latest collection, The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems.

Billy Collins on 'The Trouble with Poetry'

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At Home with Poet Laureate Ted Kooser

Ted Kooser is the nation's poet laureate and a Pulitzer Prize winner, but he's the first to agree that writing poems isn't easy. He only wants you to think it is when you read one of his poems.

At Home with Poet Laureate Ted Kooser

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Poet Drum Hadley: Back with 'Borderlands'

In the 1960s, poetry lovers were likely to see Drum Hadley in the company of Alan Ginsberg. Then he left for a Southwestern ranch. Now he's about to publish his first new book in more than 40 years.

Poet Drum Hadley: Back with 'Borderlands'

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