Poetry

Poet Richard Elman covered the Nicaraguan revolution of 1979, which overthrew the ruling Somoza dynasty. He later returned to the country to see what life was like in the aftermath. Elman also has a side job of writing the novelizations of Hollywood films.

Poet Maya Angelou has written a new memoir which details her relationship with her son while she worked as a singer and civil rights activist. She discusses the impact of prominent African American leaders like Billie Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X had on her personally and intellectually.

Poet Dan Hoffman joins the show to discuss his poem "Brotherly Love," a long poem about William Penn and his vision for the United States. The poem focuses on Penn's treaty with the Native Americans in the area that would become Pennsylvania. Hoffman is the former Poet Laureate of the U. S. and currently works at the University of Pennsylvania.

Writer Sonia Sanchez returns to Fresh Air to discuss her upcoming book of children's stories, A Sound Investment. She explains the importance of literature and storytelling with her own children, as well as the role of political poetry and the stereotypes of African Americans in television and movies.

Poet and playwright Sonia Sanchez discusses teaching young writers, her experiences as an African American woman, and her appreciation and critique of white feminist movements.

African-American poet Ntozake Shange tells Terry Gross about how Black liberation, women's movements and jazz have influenced her work. She has a new collection of poetry called Nappy Edges.

Poet Rod Mckuen also has a career as a record producer who reissues classic recordings of popular music on the Stanyan Record Label.

Fresh Air broadcasts a lecture featuring poet Dennis Brutus, who reads his works and explains his literary influences and the experience of being a writer in South Africa during apartheid.

Poet Adrienne Rich reads selections of her work.