The United States of Poetry

Watch The United States of Poetry

  • 1996
  • 1 Season

The United States of Poetry is a compelling and thought-provoking television series produced by Washington Square Films and Bowery Arts + Science in 1995. The show is a celebration of American poetry and culture, showcasing the work of some of the country's most renowned and innovative poets.

The series is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of the American experience. Through a series of performances, interviews, and readings, The United States of Poetry explores the depths of the American soul through the lens of its poets.

The show is a kaleidoscope of poetry in motion, featuring a wide range of styles and voices, from traditional verse to experimental modes of expression. The series highlights the diversity of the American poetic landscape, showcasing the work of poets from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, and regions of the country.

The United States of Poetry is a visual feast for the senses, with stunning imagery and thought-provoking themes that resonate long after each episode concludes. The series is a tapestry of words and emotions that weave together to create a powerful portrait of America's poetic landscape.

From the beat poets of the 1950s to the slam poets of the modern era, The United States of Poetry explores the evolution of American poetry and its impact on the culture at large. The show delves into the roots of American poetry, exploring the influence of diverse traditions, ranging from African American spirituals to Native American chants.

Each episode of The United States of Poetry explores a different facet of American poetry, from the personal to the political, from the humorous to the tragic. The series is a powerful testament to the role of poetry in American culture, offering viewers an opportunity to explore the country's complex and multifaceted identity through the prism of literature.

The show features a wide range of performers and poets, including Amiri Baraka, Allen Ginsberg, Ntozake Shange, Sonia Sanchez, and many others. Through their work, viewers gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of the American experience, from the civil rights movement to the impact of war and social unrest.

At its core, The United States of Poetry is a celebration of the power of the written and spoken word. The series is a tribute to the enduring legacy of American poetry and its ability to inspire, heal, and unite people across all boundaries.

In conclusion, The United States of Poetry is a must-see for anyone interested in the power of poetry and its impact on American culture. Through its stunning visuals, insightful interviews, and inspiring performances, this series offers a unique and unforgettable glimpse into the rich and diverse landscape of American poetry.

Filter by Source
No sources available
Seasons
The Word
5. The Word
February 20, 1996
Poems are made of words. Theirs is a fragile architecture. Is "the apple" green? or red or yellow? Hanging on the tree or baked in the pie? This episode features Carla Harryman, Robert Creeley, Russell Leong, Johnny Depp, Larry Eigner, Jimmy Carter, Michael Franti, Peter Cook, and others.
Love and Sex
4. Love and Sex
February 20, 1996
Who wrote "Who wrote the book of love?"? Poets. The domain of the heart, struggling to twin, that's where the poet and the poem step in. This episode features Pearl Cleage, Allen Gingsberg, Maggie Estep, Quincy Troupe, Lou Reed, Joseph Brodsky, Miguel Algar'n, Lypsinka and others.
The American Dream
3. The American Dream
February 20, 1996
The great argument: is a poem inherently political? Or does the poem with political intent cease to be a poem, become rhetoric? This episode features Leonard Cohen, Amiri Baraka, Nerissa Diaz, Jim Northrup, Lu's Alfaro, Wanda Coleman, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and others.
A Day In The Life
2. A Day In The Life
February 20, 1996
To sleep perchance to dream- to wake up and it's off to work. The tick tock of the clock tock tock, the beat beat of the heart, the crash crash of the waves against the shore- the methodical irresistibility of time marches on. This episode features Czeslaw Milosz, Rev. Pedro Pietri, Ismail Azim El, Sheryl Noethe, Matt Cook, Hal Sirowitz, Paul Beatty, C.D. Wright Derek Walcott and others.
The Land and The People
1. The Land and The People
February 20, 1996
Where are you from? Ours is the New Land, the roots of our family trees criss-cross beneath continents and seas. We're a hyphenated people, blends and shades. This episode features Henry Real Bird, George Ella Lyon, Jeff Tagami, Tracie Morris, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, Naomi Shihab Nye, Nora Marks Dauenhauer, Lord Buckley, Sparrow, Everston Sylvester, Rita Dove and James Still.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    February 20, 1996