The News From Poems

Poets bear witness to the world in ways the news cannot.  As William Carlos Williams famously noted, “It is difficult/to get the news from poems/yet men die miserably every day/for lack/of what is found there.” For National Poetry Month, TTBOOK partnered with poetry website ASPHODEL to bring listeners powerful new work inspired by political and cultural issues in the headlines. 

Each week, TTBOOK released a podcast featuring a reading of a freshly-written poem. After each poem, Anne Strainchamps interviews each poet about the personal stories behind the poems.

Vietnamese refugees

Quan Barry is writing a new poem each week in response to current events.More

tech love

In his new poem, Fady Joudah explores questions about exile, suffering and the language of nation states.More

fake news

Poet Nick Lantz has a darkly satirical take on American culture....More

Stop Light

A near-accident has poet Laura Kasischke marveling at the fearlessness of young adults and also worrying about their future. More

Fall leaves

Richard Blanco’s poem begins the day after the November election, as he struggles to make sense of a new political mood.More

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Last modified: 
April 16, 2019