Poetry and Literature
“A man standing at the bus stop
...” Denver Butson Read this poem
|| Poet Laureate ||
On August 10, 2011, Philip Levine was appointed as the Library’s 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2011-2012.
Photograph © Geoffrey Berliner
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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
|| 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.
|| Poet Laureate Programs ||
Favorite
Poem Project Americans
read and discuss their favorite poems ... a program from former
Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.
American
Life in Poetry ...
a column on contemporary American poetry by former Poet Laureate
Ted Kooser.
A poem a day for American high schools ...
a program from former Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
Poetry for the Mind's Joy ... Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's 2010 program with community colleges.
|| News ||
Nominations for the 2012 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry are now being accepted. All submissions must be postmarked by June 15, 2012. The rules and and application form are provided.
Learn more
|| Upcoming Events ||
Thursday, May 31, 12:00 Noon
Literary Birthday Celebration: Walt Whitman. Poets Joshua Beckman and Stanley Plumly celebrate the birthday of American poet Walt Whitman by reading selections from his work and discussing his influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public and will be held in the Library's Whittall Pavilion (Thomas Jefferson Building, ground floor).
Thursday, June 7, Noon
Literary Birthday Celebration: Gwendolyn Brooks. Poets Kyle Dargan and Janice Harrington celebrate the birthday of American poet Gwendolyn Brooks by reading selections from her work and discussing her influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public and will be held in the Library's Whittall Pavilion (Thomas Jefferson Building, ground floor).
Wednesday, June 13, 1:00 PM
Event: International Literature.Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai will read from his recently translated novel, Sátántangó, and discuss the state of contemporary Hungarian literature. Book sales and a signing will follow. This event is free and open to the public and will be held in Dining Room A (James Madison Building, 6th floor).
|| 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
