Articles Tagged ‘ poetry ’

Web Extra: Poet Marianne Boruch

March 9th, 2010

In the spring of last year, Christian McEwen interviewed the poet, Marianne Boruch when she came to Smith College for its poetry reading series. Boruch is the author of seven volumes of poetry, as well as two volumes of prose. She was born in Chicago, grew up in a Polish Catholic family, and was already writing poems by the time she was in high school. Her work is strongly influenced by her Catholic childhood, as well as by her love of nature, and her interest in dreams. “I think we get into a dream state when we are writing,” she says. “We drop down under the surface and connect with that other realm.”

Our Last Chance To Save Humanity

February 1st, 2010

Climate scientist Dr. James Hansen talks about STORMS OF MY GRANDCHILDREN. It’s about climate catastrophe and how we must — and can — prevent it. Richard Wilbur reads “Advice To A Prophet”. And we pay homage to Robert Parker and Howard Zinn, who both died in late January, 2010.

Are You Ready For Fire, Brimstone, Love And Writer’s Block?

October 13th, 2009

Nicholson Baker talks about his new novel, THE ANTHOLOGIST. His hero Paul Chowder is looking back over his whole life and wondering what it’s amounted to. He’s also facing the dreaded disease: writer’s block. And Susan Stinson is just finishing her new novel, SPIDER IN THE TREE. She tells us about her protagonist, the 18th century preacher Jonathan Edwards who preached fire and brimstone – and love.

Richard Wilbur: Great American Poet

August 13th, 2009

We speak with former U.S. Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur about new poems and old, the art of translation, and his evolution as a poet, and Wilbur also reads from his work for us. We also hear an excerpt from an interview Writers Voice did with Jeanne Braham, about her book LIGHT WITHIN THE LIGHT: Portraits of Donald Hall, Richard Wilbur, Maxine Kumin, and Stanley Kunitz.

Curious Garden & Arecelis Girmay

July 19th, 2009

Francesca Rheannon talks with children’s book author and illustrator Peter Brown about THE CURIOUS GARDEN and Katy Lorah of Friends of The High Line. Also, poet Arecelis Girmay talks with guest host, Christian MacEwen.

Jacqueline Sheehan

July 6th, 2009

Jacqueline Sheehan talks about her new novel, NOW AND THEN. And host Francesca Rheannon talks with Sheehan about her previous novel, LOST AND FOUND in an archived interview from 2007.

Welsh Poet Gwyneth Lewis and Marshall Jon Fisher’s A TERRIBLE SPLENDOR

June 22nd, 2009

Guest host Christian McEwen talks with Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis and Francesca Rheannon talks with Marshall Jon Fisher about one of the greatest tennis matches ever played: the 1937 Davis Cup final at Wimbledon. His book is A Terrible Splendor.

Poet Paul Muldoon and drama Voices in Conflict

June 9th, 2009

Guest host Christian McEwen interviews Paul Muldoon, poet and poetry editor of The New Yorker. And Francesca Rheannon talks with the director and cast members of a new production of the documentary play Voices in Conflict.

Amy Seidl and Nikki Giovanni

April 23rd, 2009

We talk with Amy Seidl about EARLY SPRING: An Ecologist and Her Children Wake to a Warming World. And poet Nikki Giovanni introduces us to HIP HOP SPEAKS TO CHILDREN: A Celebration of Poetry With A Beat.

Molly Haskell, Frankly My Dear and more

March 10th, 2009

Film critic Molly Haskell talks about her finely written treatment of the American classic (book and film) Gone With the Wind. It’s called FRANKLY MY DEAR: Gone with the Wind Revisited. After that, we visit the Enchanted Circle Theater’s production of The Skinner Servants Tour. Also, poets Carol Edelstein and Anis Mojgani.

David S. Reynolds, WAKING GIANT and Wally Swist, MOUNT TOBY POEMS

February 1st, 2009

We talk with cultural historian David S. Reynolds about his new book, WAKING GIANT: America in the Age of Jackson. And poet Wally Swist reads from his forthcoming collection, MOUNT TOBY POEMS.

THE JAZZ IDIOM and THE AMERICAN WAY OF WAR

December 20th, 2008

We talk with poet Al Young and photographer Charles L. Robinson about their book and CD set, JAZZ IDIOM: Blueprints, Stills and Frames. And Eugene Jarecki tells us about THE AMERICAN WAY OF WAR.

Paul Roberts THE END OF FOOD, MP Barker’s A DIFFICULT BOY and poet Annie Boutelle

December 17th, 2008

Paul Roberts tells us about THE END OF FOOD, we talk with M. P. Barker about her historical novel of early 19th century New England, A DIFFICULT BOY, and Annie Boutelle reveals the life of poet Celia Thaxter in BECOMING BONE.

Melody Petersen

July 8th, 2008

Host Francesca Rheannon talks with reporter and author Melody Petersen about OUR DAILY MEDS. It’s about how the pharmaceutical industry has put marketing above medicine and corrupted our health care system in the process. Also, Maxine Kumin. talks about her poem “Nurture”.

Poet Frannie Lindsey, LAMB

June 12th, 2008

Host Francesca Rheannon talks with poet Frannie Lindsey.