The Joys of Virtual Programs—and Honoring Black History Month
Celebrating the making of “The Maritime Underground Railroad” program, which will air on the Library’s YouTube channel on February 23 at 7 p.m. ET.
Literary Treasures: Rita Dove Reads Her Poems at the Library of Congress, May 4, 1995
This “Literary Treasures” post, written by intern Paramita Vadhahong, examines an audio recording from the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature featuring Rita Dove reading her poems at the Library of Congress on May 4, 1995.
James A. Emanuel and the African American Literary Tradition
In honor of Black History Month, Manuscript Division curator Barbara Bair explores the life and work of poet and teacher James A. Emanuel.
New Year News from Joy Harjo
Joy Harjo is already halfway through her historic third term as U.S. poet laureate and, perhaps unsurprisingly, she is busier than ever. Here’s just a sampling of what she’s been up to.
“The Borders of Ourselves Along the Contours of Tradition”: An Interview with Joan Naviyuk Kane
This interview with Joan Naviyuk Kane was conducted in 2018 as part of the Poetry and Literature Center’s online Interview Series. The series featured emerging and established literary writers in dynamic and thought-provoking conversation. Though the series is no longer active, From the Catbird Seat is reprinting these interviews to bring them new light.
Jason Reynolds: Grab the Mic Newsletter, New Year Edition
Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is back with his first newsletter of 2022.
A Snowy Poem by Robert Bly
As winter settles in and the holidays come and go, we hope you’re taking small moments (or big ones) to slow down, rest and recharge. Of course, we recommend letting poetry be your guide.
“The Notion of Life and Art as Constant Performance”: An Interview with Dorothea Lasky
This interview with Dorothea Lasky was conducted in 2015 as part of the Poetry and Literature Center’s online Interview Series. The series featured emerging and established literary writers in dynamic and thought-provoking conversation. Though the series is no longer active, From the Catbird Seat is reprinting these interviews to bring them new light.
Promoting the Poet Laureate on Billboards
Two new billboards featuring U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo in Duluth, Minnesota, have had a strong and positive impact on the community’s BIPOC community, especially its youth. “It shows all of us that we can one day become a U.S. Poet Laureate or a nationally-known artist who people literally look up to.”
“Living Nations, Living Words” at the Hawai’i Book and Music Festival
Poet Craig Santos Perez reflects on the event he organized for the Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival in October, which featured four Pacific Islander poets from Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s signature project, “Living Nations, Living Words.”