american poets

Julie Harris takes viewers into Emily Dickinson's everyday world in a small New England town to couple and contrast facts about the poet with her extraordinary, original insights.

The poet shares his memories of writing the fifth inaugural poem in history, discusses what it means to be a Latino immigrant and openly gay man, and reveals his vision for poetry's new role in the nation's consciousness.

Draws on personal letters to chronicle the life of Jewish-American writer, feminist, and Zionist Emma Lazarus.

A biography of an African girl brought to New England as a slave in 1761 who became famous on both sides of the Atlantic as the first Black poet in America.

Poet Rhoda Janzen describes her life in the Mennonite church, hanging out with the Pentecostals, and her new love life.

Poet Nick Flynn describes his childhood in Massachusetts, which ended when his mother committed suicide; chronicles his years as a caseworker at a homeless shelter, where he met his absent father, a homeless, alcoholic con-man and would-be writer, for the first time; and reflects upon the parallels between their lives.

Former United States poet laureate Donald Hall reflects on his life, discussing his childhood in Connecticut, the works that influenced him, his education, his success and failures as a writer and father, his friendships, and other related topics.

Timothy Murphy chronicles the experiences he has had while working on his Minnesota farm.

Documents the life of African-American poet Langston Hughes, discussing his contributions to society, the events and beliefs that shaped his life and work, and his literary accomplishments.