Spoken Poems

It's National Poetry Month! What are you doing to celebrate?

I've celebrated by reading at least one poem a day. In my celebration, I just discovered that the Poetry Foundation's website (an excellent site for poetry-lovers...or just lovers in general) has a respectable archive of audio poetry and Podcasts of poems being read out-loud for those who like hearing it, not just reading it. You don't even have to be a seasoned poetry reader to enjoy this. It's good homegrown fun.

If you're just a beginner or a "seeker" (many of you have mentioned to me that you need a good way to get your "feet whet," as I like to say), try anything from the "Audio Archive" column. Maybe start with Sharon Olds's poem "First Thanksgiving," which is about her daughter coming home for the holiday. (This one is best if you're a mom...Hint, hint, Mom.) Second, you can try "Applesauce" by Ted Kooser -- a feast for the senses, though a little more complex. This is the next rung up on the poetry ladder for you beginners. Then, thirdly, you might be ready for some Love poetry. (If you're not ready, it's okay. You can take a brake. You've done well today.) A fun one on this site is "Misgivings" by William Matthews. (I never met a poet from Yale I didn't like.)

Enjoy this tasty snack today. It's a great treat.

"The only thing more perfect than poems being read out-loud is God Himself reading poems out-loud." -Joyce Munro

Comments

[Jeff Martin]

Good to see you back in the blogosphere.