Episode 1 - Life Distilled: Four Decades of U.S. Poet Laureates

NOTE: This NPR news clock-friendly piece also contains a 5-minute segment for use in the NPR news hole, if stations do not use the news break. This piece also makes an excellent ME or ATC drop in, but is only available for stations licensing the entire piece. SEGMENT A: Mark Strand, who served as United States poet laureate from 1990-91, talks with New Letters editor Robert Stewart about the creative process and using humor in poetry. He reads his wry and widely anthologized poem "Eating Poetry," and from his 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection "A Blizzard of One". (12 minutes) Music: Ehren Starks "In Love and Miserable at Three O'clock" and "Subtle Groove," available at www.magnatune.com SEGMENT B: Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was the first African-American woman to become poet laureate (1985-86), and was the last Library of Congress Poetry Consultant before the post?s name was changed to Poet Laureate. Brooks reads some of her poetry, including "We Real Cool," and talks with Rebekah Presson about writing the black experience and her sometimes controversial work. (19 minutes) Music: Jag "Pretty Girl Blues," available at www.magnatune.com SEGMENT C: Ted Kooser, United States poet laureate since 2004, worked for many years in the insurance industry in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since his retirement, he has battled oral cancer, published three books of poetry, and won the Pulitzer Prize. In this segment, he reads from his award-winning book "Delights and Shadows," and talks with Angela Elam about his belief that poetry should be accessible. (19 minutes) Music: John Williams, "Dusty Porch," "Sun Break," and "Old Man Rocking Chair," available at www.magnatune.com 00:00 TO 00:59 BILLBOARD 01:00 TO 06:00 NEWS HOLE (SILENCE) OPTIONAL DROP-IN AVAILABLE 06:00 TO 06:29 MUSIC BREAK 06:30 TO 19:24 SEGMENT A - STRAND 19:25 TO 19:59 MUSIC BREAK 20:00 TO 39:10 SEGMENT B - BROOKS 39:10 TO 39:40 MUSIC BREAK 39:40 TO 59:00 SEGMENT C - KOOSER

NOTE: This NPR news clock-friendly piece also contains a 5-minute segment for use in the NPR news hole, if stations do not use the news break. This piece also makes an excellent ME or ATC drop in, but is only available for stations licensing the entire piece. SEGMENT A: Mark Strand, who served as United States poet laureate from 1990-91, talks with New Letters editor Robert Stewart about the creative process and using humor in poetry. He reads his wry and widely anthologized poem "Eating Poetry," and from his 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection "A Blizzard of One". (12 minutes) Music: Ehren Starks "In Love and Miserable at Three O'clock" and "Subtle Groove," available at www.magnatune.com SEGMENT B: Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was the first African-American woman to become poet laureate (1985-86), and was the last Library of Congress Poetry Consultant before the post?s name was changed to Poet Laureate. Brooks reads some of her poetry, including "We Real Cool," and talks with Rebekah Presson about writing the black experience and her sometimes controversial work. (19 minutes) Music: Jag "Pretty Girl Blues," available at www.magnatune.com SEGMENT C: Ted Kooser, United States poet laureate since 2004, worked for many years in the insurance industry in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since his retirement, he has battled oral cancer, published three books of poetry, and won the Pulitzer Prize. In this segment, he reads from his award-winning book "Delights and Shadows," and talks with Angela Elam about his belief that poetry should be accessible. (19 minutes) Music: John Williams, "Dusty Porch," "Sun Break," and "Old Man Rocking Chair," available at www.magnatune.com 00:00 TO 00:59 BILLBOARD 01:00 TO 06:00 NEWS HOLE (SILENCE) OPTIONAL DROP-IN AVAILABLE 06:00 TO 06:29 MUSIC BREAK 06:30 TO 19:24 SEGMENT A - STRAND 19:25 TO 19:59 MUSIC BREAK 20:00 TO 39:10 SEGMENT B - BROOKS 39:10 TO 39:40 MUSIC BREAK 39:40 TO 59:00 SEGMENT C - KOOSER