The recently released anthology, "An Endless Skyway: Poetry from the States Poet Laureate", collects the poetry of thirty-eight State Poets Laureate from across the United States. The collection gives a glimpse into the heart of our nation. Writer's Voices this week has the honor of having two State Poets Laureate on the show this week, both of whom are featured in this anthology. Iowa's curent Poet Laureate, Mary Swander, and former State Poet Laureate of Missouri, Walter Bargen, talk with Cheryl Fusco Johnson about their work and this anthology. 

Tune in for a delightful discussion!

DON'T FORGET-THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION SO THAT MEANS WE WON'T BE COOKING IN THE KRUU STUDIO.

We're recreating the hip scene of the "beat generation" as GREAT TASTE  presents poetry, java and simple food with every element served up in the KRUU coffee house.  Drop into a couch to listen if you are close by or pour yourself a steaming cup in the confines of your own cozy quarters. 

Dr. James Handlin is an experienced educator having been the headmaster of three private high schools. Dr Handlin is also a poet having been published in numerous magazines and journals. He was chosen along with Walt Whitman, William Carlos Williams, and Amiri Baraka, among others, to have a poem put in marble in New York City's Penn Station.

Leonard Pitt is an author. His latest books is Paris Postcards-The Golden Age. He is currently working on a one man show with director Arne Zaslove. In 2009, Mr. Pitt and James Donlon opened the Flying Actor Studio in San Francisco offering a two-year program in the art of physical theater.

Writers' Voices with Monica and Caroline welcomes two guests this week.  First up is Geoffrey Hoppe, writer of "Masters in the New Energy" by Adamus Saint Germain. Don't worry if that sounds confusing; Geoffrey channels Adamus Saint Germain.  According to Wikipedia, The Count of St. Germain (fl. 1710–1784) has been variously described as a courtier, adventurer, charlatan, inventor, alchemist, and musician, but is best known for his connection to Theosophy. Tune in for an unusual and intriguing interview.

Next, Writers' Voices has the pleasure of speaking with Freddy Niagara Fonseca, Fairfield's own Renaissance Man, about his forthcoming poetry anthology, "This Enduring Gift."  This beautiful volume, featuring 76 poets who have lived in Fairfield, is scheduled to launch September 10.

Tune in to Writers' Voices this week for a live interview with former Iowan Steven Schneider and his wife Reefka, who will be reading and displaying original artwork from their new book, "Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives" at Revelations July 31, 8 pm. This joint project pairs Reefka's portraits of people who live and work along the U.S.-Mexico border with Steven's bilingual poems that have been inspired by each of the drawings.

Steven Schneider's poems and essays have been published in journals such as Critical Quarterly, Prairie Schooner, Tikkun, and The Literary Review.  He is the author of two books of poetry and a scholarly treatise on A.R. Ammons, and an editor of another.  Reefka Schneider  is one of the foremost artists of "la frontera," the binational region of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas

Did you see Steve Martin playing the banjo on TV recently? Well, Tuesday March 24 we'll present a live version of "Late For School," which he wrote, from his new album "The Crow."

We will also read some fun and funny poetry and hear from Patti Soderberg at the public library. A great way to chill out.

Children's stories, poetry and laid-back music from 7-8pm. - Grandpa D.

Poems about Food, Food as Poetry

it's all part of GREAT TASTE's way of intellectually stimulating the appetite!

Our special guest is Joel Lippman, Professor of Art & English at the University of Toledo, who was appointed Poet Laureate of Lucas County, Ohio, in 2008. In addition, Joel has planted a vegetable garden for most of his adult life and loves to cook up good, plain food. He has traveled extensively and explored foods of many cultures. He continues to troll the ethnic markets in the Toledo area.

Together we'll be cooking up some great stir fry, too!

7-8 PM Wednesday / Rebro 7-8 AM Friday

Tune in to KRUU 100.1 FM this Monday at 8am to hear Robert McDowell on Writers' Voices. We'll be discussing his book, Poetry as Spiritual Practice.

At once an engaging technical primer on the mechanics and terminology of poetry, a profound meditation on the relationship between poetry and the Divine, and an inspirational guide for integrating poetry into daily spiritual practice, Poetry as Spiritual Practice will become a cherished companion, inviting you to recognize poetry as "the pure sound and shape of your spirit."

Marilyn Nelson, former Poet Laureate of Connecticut, English professor, and founder of Soul Mountain Retreat for poets, is our guest on Writers' Voices this week. Among her 12 published books and 3 chapbooks are two National Book Award finalists, Newberry Honor Books and a Coretta Scott King Honor book. She has received numerous other honors and awards for her writing and teaching.

In recent years, Nelson has focused largely on writing poems that explore African American history using traditional poetic forms such as the sonnet. Although written for adults, they have been published as illustrated books for young adults, receiving widespread acclaim. In "A Wreath for Emmet Till" she uses a very complex form, the heroic crown sonnet, to tell a tragic story from our not-so-ancient past.

Join Monica and Caroline Monday morning at 8am for a delightful wide-ranging conversation with poet Marilyn Nelson.

 Fairfield poet Tony Ellis, author of "There is Wisdom in Walnuts," will discuss his

work in process resulting from a weeks-long retreat at Soul Mountain writers' retreat.  Soul Mountain was founded by poet Marilyn Nelson in rural Connecticut and is sponsored by the University of Connecticut.  It offers residencies for up to four writers at a time.  “When my book of poems about the scientist-saint George Washington Carver started to bear surprising fruit, I suddenly had enough money for a down-payment on a childhood dream. ...[Now,] poems not my own are being written under my roof. My guest book is filled with gratitude. So am I."

(from Marilyn Nelson: "It's Not Too Late to Bring Art to the World,"
"O," The Oprah Magazine, October 2005, p. 298)