Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project is a much-loved model for inspiring people from all walks of life to rediscover poetry and strengthen their communities through the art of sharing poetry. The Festival, with the Connecticut Library Consortium, presents the culmination of a statewide Favorite Poem Project at this community reading with Pinsky and residents from across Connecticut:
Roslyn Meyer –
Dazzle of Day, Pablo Neruda
Sherwin Nuland -
Upon Julia's Clothes, Robert Herrick
William Garfinkel -
Wild Geese, Mary Oliver
Neel Pizinger -
Once, Trumbull Stickney
Ruth Henderson -
We Wear the Mask, Paul Laurence Dunbar
Sharon Olson -
Lullaby, Adam Zagajewski
Herrick Jackson -
Roof of the World, Major Jackson
Kate McEvoy -
Moving, Rainer Maria Rilke
Dorthula Green -
Life Is Fine, Langston Hughes
James Deng -
Climbing Stork Tower, Wang ZhiHuan
Yefin Somin –
Heureux qui comme Ulysse, Joachim du Bellay
Kim Stoner -
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front, Wendell Berry
Doreen Simjian -
Source, Mark Doty
Allan Garry -
Complaint, James Wright
Epilogue
Starship Dance Theater –
Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou
Submit Your Favorite Poem
For forms and more information,
click here.
All Ideas events at the Festival are free, but you can purchase an
Ideas Insider Pass to guarantee your seat up to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of all Ideas events. As an added benefit, you will be invited to attend a special post-Festival discussion with the programming staff to talk about plans for the 2010 Festival. Buy an
Ideas Insider Pass for $35
online or at the Shubert Theater Box Office (247 College Street, New Haven): 203.562.5666 or 888.736.2663.
Lead Sponsor, Favorite Poem Project:
Ideas Program Media Sponsor:
Ideas Program Radio Sponsor:
June 13, 2009, 5:45 pm
Kate McEvoy wrote:
Deeply grateful to have participated. An instant and profound intimacy of experience and connection. One of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
June 13, 2009, 11:38 pm
Dottie Green wrote:
It was a beautiful experience. The opportunity to meet interesting people, listen to great poetry that has meaning to each person. The audience was wonderful and appreciative – true poetry lovers and converts! The surge of energy… Super afternoon. This should be a “go” for next year’s festival…
June 14, 2009, 2:30 pm
Sharon Olson wrote:
It was truly a wonderful afternoon. We had a dream audience–they listened carefully and laughed at all the right moments. In just a few hours we participants made new friends and afterwards felt like we’d given the performance of a lifetime.
June 17, 2009, 4:05 pm
Sofy Solomon wrote:
As someone who rarely reads/listens to poetry, I was completely mesmerized, moved, and impressed by not only the power of poetry, but the wide range of talent, experience, and backgrounds of the participating readers. Each participant was able to establish a level of intimacy that would normally requires numerous coffee dates, by simply sharing a few lines that meant something to them at one point in their lives. During the entire event, I kept asking myself “Why isn’t this as popular as kareoke, or trivia night, or any other game that strangers play in public places?!” And thankfully, I am happy to say that former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky is aiming to do this, through his Favorite Poem Project. And for this, I applaud both him, for his efforts, and all the participants, for their willingness to share. Thank you!