New Audio, Poems, and Video for Women's History Month

March 3, 2015 March Is Women’s History Month   In celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor the important contributions women have made and continue to make to American poetry with a selection of poems and more. “Blues” by Elizabeth Alexander “Alone” by Maya Angelou “Slight Tremor” by Linda Gregerson “The Weighing” by Jane Hirshfield “Where I Live” by Maxine Kumin “The Words Under the Words” by Naomi Shihab Nye “psalm” by Alicia Ostriker “City Lights 1961” by Diane di Prima “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely [On the bus two women argue]” by Claudia Rankine “The Poem as Mask” by Muriel Rukeyser

Build Beauty for Yourself   This month, and as we glance ahead to National Poetry Month, we remember our founder, Marie Bullock, who at twenty-three years old had the vision and verve to establish an organization devoted to supporting poetry and poets. Read a speech Marie Bullock gave in 1937 about the future for poetry and Anthony Hecht’stribute to her. Collection: Women Poets in History Lesson Plan: Women in Poetry Video: Marilyn Nelson in P.O.P In Their Own Voices   We now have over seven hundred recordings of poets past and present reading their poems. Look for the audio icon when reading individual poems or click audio from the top menu on the Browse Poets & Poemspage. Here’s a place to start: “homage to my hips” by Lucille Clifton “A Song for Many Movements” by Audre Lorde “Dinah’s Lament” by Marilyn Nelson “Lady Tactics” by Anne Waldman “Imaginary June” by C. D. Wright Lesson Plan: Adrienne Rich’s “Diving into the Wreck”   In this lesson plan, developed by our Educator in Residence Madeleine Fuchs Holzer, teachers can use Adrienne Rich’s poem “Diving into the Wreck” to explore the complicated process of finding, and defining, oneself. Aligned with the Common Core, the lesson provides entry points for diverse learners and helps students hone their skills of perception. Telly the Fish   Watch Toi Derricotte read her poetry as part of Dear Poet, a multimedia education project that invites young people to write letters in response to poems written and read by our Chancellors.  Read, Write, and Carry More   Shop our selection of book lights, stationery, and totes to help you create more avenues to poetry in your day-to-day this month. Don’t Forget to Request a Poster   This year’s National Poetry Month poster, designed by New Yorkercartoonist Roz Chast and featuring a line of poetry by Mark Strand, is sure to become a collector’s item. Get your copy, available for free through Poets.org while supplies last.