Poetry and Literature
“You're so beautiful that it's starting to rain...” Richard Brautigan Read this poem
|| 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.
Photograph ©Nancy Crampton
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|| 2012 Bobbitt Prize for Poetry ||
On January 24, 2013, Gerald Stern will receive the 12th Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry for his book “Early Collected Poems: 1965-1992.”
Read News Release
Learn more about the Bobbit National Prize
Photograph ©Martin Desht
|| 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 ||
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 3:30 PM
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS & WRITERS.
Kenyan storyteller and poet Anna Mwalagho will read from her work and discuss the state of contemporary African literature. The event is free and open to the public. A tea party will follow.
Learn more
Friday, Nov. 9, 12:00 NOON
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS & WRITERS.
Gambian author and poet Tijan Sallah will read from his work and discuss the state of contemporary African literature. The event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow.
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
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