Dead Poets Society of America

"Poet Laureati-ed" in Kansas

A report on the United Poets Laureate blog tells of the great gathering last weekend in Kansas, when a flock of 19 State Poets Laureate blackbirds sat on tree branches together and lived poetry.

I’m not exactly sure what happened during these days, but I do know I hugged many people, swam with others in tandem through conversations about vocation and passion, healing and imagery, the hunger to find the right words, the necessity of listening to other, and where to find Thai food on Mass. Street. I watched audiences leaning forward, intent and awake. I heard all weather variations of poetry: sonnets about liberal arts, free verse on the damage fathers can do, elaborations on the danger of the hot dog man, and wry deconstructions of our need to be adored.

I also found friends for life: poets and poets laureate I just met, and yet they were instantly big brothers or long-lost cousins sharing a bag of ginger snaps with me late at night in the kitchen or duck spring rolls at a candlelit dinner yesterday. There will be radio broadcasts of portions of the event on Kansas and Kansas City Public Radio stations, and a video or two soon, but for now, this is what I know.

Poets Laureate Fill Museum with Passion

An article in the University Daily Kansan reviewed the reading by Ted Kooser and other State Poets Laureate which took place at the Spencer Museum of Art this past Sunday.

"An Alaskan honored the late John Haines and illustrated blue ribbon eels with neon mouths that coughed near Fiji. A western aide revisited a parasite dipping tank in Zaire. A student begged a teacher to taste the syllables of her haiku.

These speakers were three of the ten poet laureates who read for the “Poet Laureati” Sunday at the Spencer Museum of Art. A collection of poet laureates’ works, “An Endless Skyway,” was released at the event."

Former Alaska Poet Laureate Remembered

John Haines, the former Poet Laureate of Alaska, has now joined the long-term Dead Poets Society.

From the article: By Suzanna Caldwell | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER

FAIRBANKS — Friends said former Alaska Poet Laureate John Haines was known for being cantankerous, gruff and curmudgeonly. But his lasting legacy will be a collection of poetry and prose that captured his unique view of life and inspired generations of Alaska writers.

Haines, 86, died March 2. He was the author of more than 10 collections of poetry and essays. He was named Alaska poet laureate in 1969 and received numerous accolades for his work.

Those who were close cared deeply for him. Former student and friend Ross Coen said he could be unpleasant, but his intellect and love of Alaska was one of a kind.

“He was a fascinating guy to talk to,” Coen said. “He challenged you to think in ways that only a special person like he could do.”

Author Dan O’Neill put it this way: “The man could be irritating, and exasperating, but when he put the pen on the paper, something else took over.”

Poet Laureati! A National Gathering of Poets Laureate

This weekend an historic gathering of 19 State Poets Laureate is taking place in Lawrence, Kansas (the boyhood home of Langston Hughes, I believe). It is called  "Poet Laureati! A National Gathering of Poets Laureate" and it is sponsored by a group called United Poets Laureate.

Many friends of the Dead Poets Society of America are attending and we look forward to news of how the gathering goes. Former US Poet Laureatee, Ted Kooser, will be attending as a special guest.

"In A Rose Garden"

In A Rose Garden from ChiefFallingLeaf on Vimeo.

"The Day Was Gorgeous" sums it up well

Thanks to George Fitzgerald for his well-written description of the historic event "Sweet  Auburn: An American Parnassus," which took place last week during the Great Boston Poetry Marathon.

George wrote: "The day was gorgeous ... sun-warmed autumn air, blue sky, and the spectacularly interesting Mount Auburn Cemetery.  About forty of us, poetry aficionados all, headed up by Walter Skold, the founder of The Dead Poets Society, were treated to a guided walk to the graves of twenty-two poets; at each site one of the poet's poems was recited.  My favorites:  Walter Skold's reading of John Ciardi's "An Apology for Not Invoking the Muse" and a recitation of Maria White Lowell's "The Grave of Keats" ... Maria White Lowell, dead at thirty-two, was the wife of James Russell Lowell; another member of the famous Lowell family, the poetess Amy, said of Maria's poetry, "It is better than anything her husband ever wrote ... he always said that she was a better poet than he!"

 (The image is of the front cover of the day's program that the talented staff at Mount Auburn printed up for the occassion.)

National Press Release Issued for Holiday

A National Press Release has been issued by the Dead Poets Society of America to announce the celebration of the 1st Dead Poets Remembrance Day.

So far there are 10 "official" literary celebrations led by State Poets Laureate, and hopefully more impromptu and "unoffical" gatherings will happen as word of the holiday spreads. So pick up your shovels and head to the graves, folks! (Figuratively speaking: the shovel representing your heart, your imagination, your books of poetry and your friends! )

Coloradans Joining 1st National Celebration

Word from Colorado State Poet Laureate, Mary Crow, that on October 6th residents in Ft. Collins will gather to read from the poetry of Thomas Hornsby Ferril and Ed Dorn, as well as poetry from other favorite non-Colorado poets.

Welcome aboard the Dead Poets Remembrance Train Colorado! Mary makes the 19th State Poet Laureate to endorse the holiday, and Kevin Stein, the laureate of Illinois, marks 20!

Dan Beachy-Quick will host the historic event and poets reading include: Bill Tremblay, Matthew Cooperman, Aby Kapang, Francisco Leal, Veronica Patterson, Fernando Valerio-Holguin, and Lisa Zimmerman.   

Iconic Frost Farm Hosts Dead Poets Celebration

The beautiful and historic Robert Frost Farm has joined with the Dead Poets Society of America to host the first New Hampshire Dead Poets Remembrance Day. The grand celebration will take place in the famous Frost barn at 3 PM, on Sunday, October 10th.

Come hear a dozen of New Hampshire's best poets read the poetry of Jane Kenyon, Odgen Nash, Robert Lowell, Celia Thaxter, Robert Frost, Scott Mowrer, May Sarton, Richard Eberhart, Phillip Booth, and more, in this National Historic Landmark.

All are welcome to attend the reading. There is a fee of $4 (NH resident) or $5 (non NH resident) to enter to Farm, which is truly one of the best-kept literary sites in the country.

Many thanks to S. Stephanie, poet and wife of NH Poet Laureate, Walter Butts, and Bill Gleed, manager of the Frost Farm and co-founder of the Hyla Brook Poets, for putting this event together.

Rumi & Dead Poets Day

Coleman Barks is well-know, not just for his own poetry, but for his long love of and translations of Rumi. He joined with the 18 state poets laureate this week in endorsing the Dead Poets Remembrance Day. Here is what he wrote:

"The areas around the tombs of Hafez and Saadi in Shiraz, Iran, are great continuous celebrations. The same with Rumi's resting place in Konya, Turkey. We have a lot to learn from those ancient cultures about how to enjoy our poets, and poetry in general."

"In the Marble Quarry" By James Dickey from ChiefFallingLeaf on Vimeo.