The Library of Congress is proud to offer two valuable series that explore the art of poetry with some of our nation’s finest poets: Poet Vision and The Poet and the Poem.
Poet Vision Series
Poet Vision features great poets reading and talking intimately about their work. Originally filmed and broadcast in Philadelphia from 1988-90, the 12 episodes capture for posterity insights from and about Lucille Clifton, Rita Dove, Allen Ginsberg, Louise Glück, Sam Hamill, Michael Harper, Stanley Kunitz, Denise Levertov, and Robert Penn Warren. The series appeals to a wide range of viewers by including both beginning poets and well-known masters. Five have become Poet Laureate of the United States. Four are now deceased, making their recordings especially valuable.
All rights to the use of these programs are reserved by the copyright holders. The original tapes were donated to the Library of Congress in 2000 by producers Rohm and Haas and are kept in the Library’s Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.
The Poet and the Poem Series
The Poet and the Poem is an ongoing series of live poetry interviews at the Library of Congress with distinguished artists. Webcasts are now available of recent events, including the appearances of two U.S. Poets Laureate and several Witter Bynner fellows. Distinguishing features of the show are the poets’ discussions with host Grace Cavalieri about their craft and sources of inspiration. The series is sponsored by the Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry and the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C.
