Poets Against the War Reading

This reading was organized in conjunction with the national grassroots movement, Poets Against the War (www.poetsagainstthewar.org), and features poets associated with the Writers’ Workshop and the International Writing Program.

Marvin Bell introduces the reading, and then Kiki Petrosino speaks briefly about the spirit and purpose of the reading. Poets Marvin Bell, James Galvin, David Hamilton, John Mateer, James McKean, Dave Morice, Mani Rao, Mary Ruefle, Mary Swander, Jan Weissmiller, and Dean Young each read a selection of poems.

Play Audio (1 hour, 3 min.)

In: International Writing Program Archive | Poetry

Authors: Marvin Bell , Kiki Petrosino, David Hamilton, John Mateer, James Galvin, James McKean, Dave Morice, Mani Rao, Mary Swander, Mary Ruefle, Jan Weissmiller, Dean Young

Date Recorded: November 09, 2005

Works Read: Marvin Bell reads the following poems: "I Didn't Sleep;" "A Lesson from the Core;" and "Hard Times for Army Recruiters."

James Galvin reads the following poems: "Nike;" and "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up."

David Hamilton reads two poems by Margaret Gibson: "Fuel;"and "Moment." He reads an excerpt from the August, 1804 journal of Lewis and Clark, then reads a poem of his own, "Someone."

John Mateer reads the following poems: "The Bombing;"and "One Year."

James McKean reads an excerpt of Robert Lowell's "Near the Ocean," and a poem of his own, "Policy." He reads the last stanza of W.H. Auden's poem "September 1, 1939."

Dave Morice sings "Deep in the Heart of Bagdhad."

Mani Rao performs two songs. The first song is untitled, but the first line is "Protect me from myself." The second song is titled "Bush."

Mary Ruefle reads a poems that begins with the line, "War engenders violence." She reads John Berryman's "Snowline," and Gerard Manley Hopkins' "Binsey Poplars," and Walt Whitman's "Look Down, Fair Moon."

Mary Swander reads from her book, Crazy Eddy on the Judgement Day.

Jan Weissmiller reads "Eye on Apocalypse;" and "Tribute." She reads Emily Dickinson's "My Life Had Stood - a Loaded Gun."

Dean Young reads "Primitive Mentor." He reads the last stanza of Kenneth Koch's "The Pleasures of Peace."

Program: --

Format: reading

Contributors: Marvin Bell and Kiki Petrosino introduce the reading.

Topics: September 11, 2001; the war in Iraq; the Vietnam War; military draft; (George W.) Bush administration; 2004 Tsunami; Oklahoma City bombing; the War in Iraq; Hurricane Katrina

Play Audio (1 hour, 3 min.)