Dead Poets Society of America

Hayden & Randall : at the graves of giants

Thursday the Poemobile travelled to Detroit and Chicago for two outstanding readings at the graves of poets who were giants in the world of African-American literature.

First we were joined by poet and Dudley Randall biographer, Dr. Melba Boyd, and Detroit laureate, Naomi Long Madgett. They led a round of readings in the historic and very lovely Elmwood Cemetery. Several board members showed up, and we had a small feast of poetry.

Then we raced to Ann Arbor to read at the grave of Robert Hayden, and his wife, Erma.

Dedgar Meets Edgar at Midnight

Now on Video: Dedgar The Poemobile was SO happy to meet Edgar last night in Baltimore. It was a meeting of the minds from the git-go; surely to go down in the annals of literary history as a pivotal moment.

 

Grand Tour Airs on Canadian Radio

The Canadian Broadcast Corporation show "As It Happens" aired a great interview with me about Dedgar and the Grand Tour. Dead Poets are going International.

On the Road with Jack Kerouac

The Grand Tour rolled in Lowell, MA for a visit to the grave of famous beat writer, and poet, Jack Kerouac. His simple grave is like a canvas that his fans paint with relics: prayers, joints, origami, and whiskey bottles.

Due to rain we did not get to stop at the grave of Allen Ginsberg and we are now about to enter Baltimore....DEDGAR, The Poemobile, is very happy, because he is visiting the memorial of his namesake..E.A.Poe. Will have a video tomorrow.

First Dead Poets' BASH a Smashing Success

Under blue skies and a brisk Maine wind, the Dead Poets Grand tour officially got underway in Portland, Maine yesterday. Maine poet laureate, Betsy Sholl led off the 34-day tour by announcing the new literary holiday, The Dead Poets Remembrance Day.

It was a great beginning, with several well-loved Maine poets reading  from the works of past poets, in some cases their personal friends. Portland Maine laureate, Steve Luttrell, read from his friend, Robert Creeley. 

Dunbarton, NH...here we come!

$4,000 in Prizes Announced in Search for Poets' Graves

(The ending date for the competition has moved to April 23rd, 2011. Still plenty of time to take photos and do videos)

At the 1st Dead Poets Bash in Portland, Maine, the Dead Poets Society of America announced $4,000 in prize money for people who take the best photos and videos related to a poet's grave.

It's called the Grand Tombstone Competition, and 8 resourceful winners will share the awards, with a $1,000 1st place award in BOTH the photo and the video category.

Official rules and judging criteria will be posted on May 1. Let the Digging Begin!

Keep Comments and Suggestions Coming

Thanks to all who are writing comments and suggesting new poets to add to our list. Please understand that with the pace of our road trip we may not be able to respond quickly. Rest assured that we read and appreciate the feedback, and will add names to lists when we can. Thanx :)

Dead Poets Bashes Bursting Out All Over

As the countdown to the Grand Tour begins, new locations are being announced for our public events, called a Dead Poets Bash. On the Dead Poets' Facebook page are the links to Bashes (ie. parties) in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, and Rhode Island, (with more locations to be announced here soon).

19 State Blogs Ready to Chronicle Tour

There are now 19 State Dead Poets blogs, which will announce and chronicle events in each State: Maine, New England, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC., Maryland, New York, and Rhode Island. California is not on the tour, but has a blog.

13 State Poets Laureate Joining the Grand Tour!

We are pleased to announce that current or former state poets laureate are participating in or endorsing the historic 34-day, 22-State, 1,600 mile Dead Poets Grand Tour! There has never been a poetry event like this -- it is the 2010 Rock Concert Tour of the poetry world!

Here are the laureates involved: Lisa Starr, Rhode Island...Betsy Sholl, Maine....Marjory Wentworth, S. Carolina...Joyce Brinkman, Indiana....Walter Butts, New Hampshire....Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, Virginia...Mary Swander, Iowa....Maggi Vaughn, Tennessee....Marilyn Taylor, Wisconsin... Pat Fargnoli New Hampshire...Sue Walker, Alabama...Naomi Long Madgett, Poet Laureate of Detroit