In Philip Levine's post-war poem, Belle Isle, 1949, two strangers meet, swim, and part, exploring themes of connection, boundaries, and where we come from. This video segment comes from Poetry Everywhere.

Boston based artists discuss the meaning of Black art. Host Jim Spruill leads a discussion among 17 Boston-based artists on what Black art is and to whom the Black artist speaks. Group assembled includes Orma Jo Flint, Steve Hussein, Hakim Jami, Bob Nellums, Joanne Robinson, Robert Ruff, Joanne Sanders, Ralf Coleman, Ali Yusef, Carolyn Fitchert, Charles Holley, Gary Rickson, Dana Chandler, Jr., Lovett Thompson, John Wilson, and Elma Lewis. Program includes stills of the work of featured painters and sculptors woven into the discussion, with featured performances by the musicians, dancers and poets. Featured performers include Ali Yusef Trio and the Negro Repertory Theatre. Produced by Ray Richardson. Directed by Stan Lathan.

African American youth and education in Boston. Program consists of numerous community affairs segments, the most prominent of which is a panel discussion directed by Sarah-Ann Shaw on African American youth and education in Boston. Guests include Jean McGuire (Roxbury resident and only Black Pupil Adjustment Counselor for the Boston public school system), Gerald Hill (an African American teacher and nominee for Interim Project Director of the King-Timilty Coalition), Francine Mills (director of a vocational program for Operation Exodus), John Jackson (an African American teacher involved with experimental work-study program of Boston public schools), and Patricia Raynor (parent and member of the Parents' Education Committee). Additional segments include musical performances by Gwen Michaels and The Stark Reality, a poetry reading by Linda Hall, staff reflections on a recent African-style wedding in Boston, and a reading of the community news by Jacqueline Banks. Produced by Jim Boyd. Directed by Stan Lathan.

Follow Irish poet Seamus Heaney through his poem, Blackberry-Picking, featured in this video segment from Poetry Breaks. Like many of Heaney's poems, Blackberry-Picking combines the power of memory and nature.

'Blast from the Past' features an excerpt from a 1968 Say Brother interview with poet and playwright Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) at Tufts University. Baraka talks about the importance of African Americans trying to be Black as a means to raise themselves above the 'filth of easy accommodation in the white world.'

Everett Goodwin reads from his poem 'To A Down and Out Brother, 'Program consists of an interview with Washington, DC poet and playwright Everett Goodwin. Host Barbara Barrow speaks with Goodwin about the ideas behind his poems, how he started writing and getting published, and issues related to the production of his upcoming play. Program includes Goodwin's readings from his book of poems The Blues Ain't Nothing But a Poem, including, 'Loving Nothing But The Blues,' 'To A Down and Out Brother,' 'Love Poem for Shauna,' and 'Ode to Reefer'). Program includes the 'Community Calendar.' Produced by Barbara Barrow. Directed by Conrad White.

Christopher Lydon interviews Bill Lee (pitcher, Montreal Expos) at Fenway Park. Lee discusses the possibility of a baseball strike. Lee talks about unions and his feelings about baseball. Lee says that he is no longer 'addicted' to baseball. This compilation tape has three essays by Robert J. Lurtsema about the coming of summer, the coming of fall and barnacles. Lydon reports on the upcoming preliminary elections for the Boston City Council. Lydon analyzes voting patterns in various districts and the political networks of some candidates. Lydon notes that there has been little voter interest in the campaign. The report includes interviews with and profiles of candidates Maureen Craven Slade, Craig Lankhorst, and Stephen Michaels. Lydon reports from the Boston Celtics' practice court in Brookline. Lydon interviews Ernie DiGregorio (basketball player) and Nate 'Tiny' Archibald for the report. Lydon's second report on the upcoming preliminary elections for Boston City Council includes footage from interviews with several candidates including Maura Hennigan, James Kelly, David Scondras, Charles Yancey, Ed McNamara, and Michael McCormack. The candidates talk about voter anger and apathy, the city's fiscal crisis, the need for better city services and the policies of Kevin White (Mayor of Boston). Lydon interviews Donald Woods (South African journalist) about South Africa. Woods criticizes the US veto of the United Nations condemnation of the South African invasion of Angola. Woods says that the white minority in South Africa must negotiate with the black majority in order to avoid a civil war. Woods compares the political situations in South Africa to that of Northern Ireland.

Christopher Lydon interviews Dennis Brutus (South African poet, scholar, and activist). Brutus reads one of his poems, 'The Sounds Begin Again.' Brutus discusses his various roles as poet, leader and activist; his concern with human rights and justice all over the world; his sense of exile from his country. Brutus reads one of his poems, 'Sequence for South Africa.' Brutus says that he tries to describe certain places and events in South Africa when he speaks to people who are unfamiliar with the country. He discusses the Sharpeville Massacre and reads one of his poems, 'Sharpeville.' Brutus discusses the current situation in South Africa, the growing repression and increasing resistance. Brutus talks about Solomon Mahlangu (South African activist), who was hanged by the government in 1979. He reads a poem that he wrote for Mahlangu.

Elma Lewis reads the poem 'Sympathy' by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. Program is divided into two halves: the first featuring a 30-minute in-studio poetry reading by Elma Lewis, the second of magazine-style segments. Elma Lewis, Director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, seated with children around her, talks about what poetry is, what a poem can make you feel, and why people used to write in rhymes. Lewis focuses on two African American poets, Langston Hughes (who is 'of this time') and Paul Lawrence Dunbar, and reads selections from each. The second half contains the following segments: a mime performance by Halim Adbur Rashid (Fred Johnson) titled 'The Writer,' 'Access' (with A.D. Saunders, who describes the Boston Jazz Society), 'The Word' (with professor and historian A.B. Spellman, who comments on Black History Week), the 'Community Calendar,' 'Information' (on Minority Recruitment Month for the Peace Corps), and 'Commentary' by Producer Marita Rivero. Original air date estimated. Directed by Conrad White.

Elma Lewis, Director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, reads the poem 'Sympathy' by Paul Lawrence Dunbar to a group of children and then asks them what they think the poem means.

See the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial wall in Washington D.C. through the eyes of war veteran and contemporary poet Yusef Komunyakaa. In this video segment from Poetry Everywhere, Komunyakaa reads his poem Facing It.

This lesson is a part of a unit on poetry and figurative language. It is designed to teach students the characteristics of metaphor within the context of poetry.

African Americans in the 1920's had a new attitude. In this video segment from A Walk Through Harlem, learn about the Harlem Renaissance.

See an animated version of Emily Dickinson's poem I started Early—Took my Dog. This video segment from Poetry Everywhere uses animation to illustrate Dickinson's poem about the sea.

Carmen Fields reports that James Weldon Johnson was a poet, lawyer, diplomat, composer, and former director of the NAACP. Fields notes that the US Postal Service will issue a postage stamp bearing Johnson's image in honor of Black History Month. Fields interviews Samuel Allen (professor, Boston University) about Johnson's life and his legacy. Allen reads two of Johnson's poems. Fields notes that Johnson is the composer of 'Lift Every Voice,' which is known as the 'black national anthem.' Fields report is accompanied by photos of Johnson and a shot of the postage stamp bearing his image. Field's report also includes footage of the Madison Park High School Choir performing 'Lift Every Voice.'

Explore the power of memory, irony, and ordinary objects. In this video segment from Poetry Everywhere, Billy Collins reads his humorous poem, The Lanyard, about a childhood gift he made for his mother.

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines introduce and read a favorite Poems. This yearŐs participants: Ronelle Alexander (Slavic Languages and Literatures), Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost George Breslauer, Myrtis Cochran (Reference Services), George Jaqua (Physical Plant), Trinh T. Minh-ha (Rhetoric and Gender & WomenŐs Studies), Michael L. Palmer (Summer Sessions), Kent Puckett (English), Samuel J. Redman (Regional Oral History). (47 minutes)

California Poet Laureate Al Young has created a profound and enduring body of work that represents our time. Young's numerous publications in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and for the stage and screen explore the American, human condition through the lens of the individual voice. Tune in as he reads a selection of his Poems before a live audience at UC Berkeley. (28 minutes)

Revolutionary poet, playwright, and activist Amiri Baraka is recognized as the founder of the Black Arts Movement, a literary period that began in Harlem in the 1960s and forever changed the look, sound, and feel of American poetry. 26 minutes)