On October 7, 1955, poet Alan Ginsberg reads his poem “Howl” at a poetry reading at Six Gallery in San Francisco. The poem was an immediate success that rocked the Beat literary world and set the tone for confessional poetry of the 1960s and later. Hear this recording of the … Continue reading
Dylan Thomas reads his famous poem, Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night. Thomas who went into a coma on November 5th 1953 after claiming to have drank 18 whiskeys at The White Horse Tavern in New York City’s Greenwich Village the night before. He was held in an … Continue reading
“I realize that stories in the press regarding my drug use may make you think that this request comes from a desire to parallel our lives. Let me assure you that this is not the case. As a fan and student of your work, I would cherish the opportunity to … Continue reading
“You will find that you have already been gloriously rewarded for your poem. You have experienced becoming, learned a lot more about what’s inside you, and you have made your soul grow…” When English teacher Ms. Lockwood assigned her students at Xavier High School to correspond with a well-known author … Continue reading
This video from WNET’s 1966 program called “USA Poetry: Frank O’Hara” contains footage of Frank O’Hara reading aloud his poem “Having a Coke With You”. O’Hara speaks about the various reasons that he loves the subject of the poem. He says “I would rather look at you than all the … Continue reading
Author: Phoebe Goldenberg Kenneth Goldsmith thinks his work is “mimetic and uncreative.” If you were to pick up his most recent book, you would probably agree–and question the judgement of his publisher. His book, published on March 12, 2013, called, “Seven American Deaths and Disasters,” lacks colorful embellishments. Goldsmith has merely … Continue reading
Author: Emmy Lu Daly Date: May 20, 2013 “Now serving #156 at Station #3.” One by one, on and on. Dumbed and numbed Veterans all. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, distant wars now. WWII- the “good” war Korea- the “forgotten” war Vietnam- the “wasted” war. #156 slowly raises his head, pushed his … Continue reading
Maya Angelou story recalled by Frederick Buechner talks about the time when he was at a religious occasion at Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York City when the author told him how the extravagant religious procession made her want to laugh into a barrel. Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014.
https:// Author and poet Maya Angelou discusses her work with Martin Luther King, Jr. She recalls where she was when she found out King had been assassinated–on the same day as her birthday: “Life stopped for me…”
Janell J. Lewis, a reporter who has met author Maya Angelou on a number of occasions, discusses Angelou’s “tough” personality and inspirational inner strength. Lewis describes Angelou as a “Renaissance woman” who lived through an incredible life story. Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014.
