Moderated by Christopher Lydon
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Presented in collaboration with with media sponsorship from |
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Massachusetts Poetry in Hard Times:
What the Best of Bay State Bards Offer
Us in Bad Times and Good
Thursday, October 15
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Rabb Auditorium, Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
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While the Dow tumbles, joblessness soars, and two wars stretch our military abroad, what do the works of Emily Dickinson, Herman Melville, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have to offer? What could words, rhythm, and rhyme provide to those down on their luck or even facing crisis? Poets David Ferry, Suji Kwock Kim, Jill McDonough, Ifeanyi Menkiti, Gail Mazur, and Lloyd Schwartz join Christopher Lydon to answer with readings from classic Massachusetts authors as well as those contemporary artists writing their masterpieces today. From lyric and verse to slam and spoken word, they offer their perspective on current affairs, as well as the evolving ways we use language to understand and experience our world today.
Related Links:
Interview with David Ferry regarding his translation of Vergil’s Georgics.
Webcast of Suji Kwock Kim from the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival.
Audio of Jill McDonough reading her poem “Breasts Like Martinis” at Slate.com.
Video of some of Gail Mazur’s lectures at the WGBH Forum Network.
Lloyd Schwartz’s NPR profile, including a link to his podcast.
