Poetry and Literature
“By day the bat is cousin to the mouse ...” Theodore Roethke Read this poem
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|| Poet Laureate ||
Natasha Trethewey takes up her duties in the fall, opening the Library’s annual literary season with a reading of her work on Thursday, September 13 in the Coolidge Auditorium.
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|| 2012 Witter Bynner Fellows ||
Poet Laureate Philip Levine has chosen poets L.S. Asekoff and Sheila Black for the 2012 Witter Bynner Fellowships.
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Learn more about Witter Bynner Fellowships
|| Poet Laureate Programs ||
Favorite
Poem Project Americans
read and discuss their favorite poems by former
Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.
American
Life in Poetry
A column on contemporary American poetry by former Poet Laureate
Ted Kooser.
Poetry 180
A poem a day for American high schools by former Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
Poetry for the Mind's Joy
Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's 2010 program with community colleges.
|| Upcoming Events ||
Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3:00 PM -
POET LAUREATE READING IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. Natasha Trethewey, the 19th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry and Mississippi State Poet Laureate, will read a selection from her poetry. This free event is followed by a reception.
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Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 12:00 PM - CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS & WRITERS. South African writer and Executive Head of the Cape Town Centre for the Book Mandla Matyumza will read from his own work and discuss the state of contemporary South African literature & publishing, especially highlighting African languages and culture. The event is free and open to the public.
Learn more
|| The Poetry Room ||
Take a virtual tour of the Library's Poetry Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building, and learn about the Poetry and Literature Center's benefactor, Gertrude Clarke Whittall.
Go to the Virtual Tour
|| Featured Webcasts ||
Philip Levine Gives Inaugural Reading as U.S. Poet Laureate(October 17, 2011) - 57 minutes
Contemporary Poetry from China: A Reading and Discussion with speakers Xi Chuan and Zhou Zan (October 12, 2011) - 80 minutes
Poet Terrance Hayes appears at the 2011 National Book Festival (September 25, 2011) - 44 minutes
Literary Birthday Celebration: Louisa May Alcott, with authors Jo Ann Beard and Maud Casey (November 29, 2011) - 53 minutes
Poet Yusef Komunyakaa appears at the 2011 National Book Festival (September 25, 2011) - 43 minutes
Whitman's Future-Founding Poetry, with speaker Sascha Poehlmann (December 15, 2011) - 57 minutes
A Celebration of American Poets Laureate with Charles Simic, Kay Ryan, Rita Dove, Billy Collins, and more (October 6, 2010) - 87 minutes