Mark Reads to You

Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, written and delivered for Barack Obama's first inauguration.

Of History and Hope by Miller Williams, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's second inauguration.

On the Pulse of Morning by Maya Angelo, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's first inauguration in 1993.

The Gift Outright by Robert Frost.  Kennedy gave Frost the option of reciting this poem or a new poem at the inauguration, and when Frost couldn't read his original poem, he recited this one from memory. My reading is of the 1942 original; for the inauguration, Frost changed the last line from "Such as she would become" to "Such as she will become." That change was made at Kennedy's request,  apparently to give the poem a greater sense of optimism.

Dedication by Robert Frost. This poem was written specifically for John F. Kennedy's inauguration, but Frost was unable to deliver it as the sun (and reflected light off of snow) made it impossible for the 86 year old poet to read his copy. 

Joe Biden will be only the fourth President of the US to have a poem delivered as part of his inauguration. JFK started the practice with his inaugural in 1961, for which Robert Frost wrote a poem specific to the occasion. He then wound up delivering a different poem from memory, as solar glare made it impossible for him to read the new poem.  Poetry then took a bit of a hiatus until Bill Clinton, who included poetry at both of his inaugurations. Barack Obama did the same at both of his inaugurals as well.

At age 22, US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman will become the youngest poet to deliver a poem at a US Presidential inauguration.  Good luck Amanda, and good listening to all!

Vespers by Louise Glück, US Poet Laureate from 2003-2004.

Cheerios by Bill Collins, US Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003.

Passing Through by Stanley Kunitz, US Poet Laureate from 2000 to 2001.

Glass by Robert Pinsky, US Poet Laureate from 1997 to 2000.

The Failure of Buffalo to Levitate by Robert Hass, US Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997.

Testimonial by Rita Dove, US Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995.

The second part in our series covering US Poets Laureate, one poem per laureate per day. 

Chicago by Carl Sandburg

Under the Harvest Moon by Carl Sandburg

Fog by Carl Sandburg, a bonus episode given its length

The Answer by Carl Sandburg

Caboose Thoughts by Carl Sandburg

At a Window by Carl Sandburg

Accomplished Facts by Carl Sandburg

All episodes this week are by the great Midwestern poet Carl Sandburg, born January 6, 1878

Resolution by Lia Purpura

To the New Year by W. S. Merwin

on new year's eve by Evie Shockley

The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The Old Year by John Clare

Burning the Old Year by Naomi Shihab Nye

This week's poems are all in celebration of the new year and New Year's Day holiday.  Happy New Year's to you all, and best wishes for a hopefully much improved 2021!

December 26 by Kenn Nesbitt

In 1897, a girl named Virginia O'Hanlon sent a letter to the editor to the New York Sun asking them to confirm what some of her friends were saying, that there is no Santa Claus. The reply was published anonymously but was written by Francis Pharcellus Church, an editorial writer for the paper. The letter and its reply have been reprinted countless times, and inspired other works.

A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore.

Model-Train Display at Christmas in a Shopping Mall Food Court by James Arthur.

In the bleak midwinter by Christina Rossetti.

[little tree] by e. e. cummings.

A week of poems in celebration of Christmas (and perhaps of Boxing Day, if I can find a poem for it that I like). Merry Christmas or Happy Friday as appropriate!

Elijah vs. Santa by Richard Michelson

A Hanukkah Prayer for a Time of Darkness by Marla Baker

Letters Spoken in Wind by Rachel Galvin

Honorary Jew by John Repp.

Season of Skinny Candles by Marge Piercy.

The Miracle by Philip M. Raskin

All the poems this week are about Hanukkah, which started last Thursday and runs through this Friday. For those who celebrate, I hope you have a great holiday!

Ave Maria by Frank O'Hara.

Charlie Chaplin Impersonates a Poet by Cornelius Eady.

The James Bond Movie by May Swenson.

The Blue Angel by Alan Ginsberg

Video Blues by Mary Jo Salter

Silent Film by Kurt Brown

Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas, in Back to School (1986), Dangerous Minds (1995), and Interstellar (2014).