Bill Murray Reads Wallace Stevens

Comedian, actor, and long-time poetry enthusiast Bill Murray reads  two poems by Wallace Stevens, "The Planet on the Table," and "A Rabbit as King of the Ghosts."

 

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Dylan at the Movies: Shelter from the Storm

In honor of his 79th birthday this month (May 24), we are looking at some of the songs by Bob Dylan that have made their way to the cinema.

Here's a great clip of Bill Murray singing along to "Shelter from the Storm" in the 2014 film, St Vincent. I think these days more people should be singing along with Dylan and Murray on this one.

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Celebrating the Spoken Word: What the Mirror Said (Lucille Clifton)

Comedian Bill Murray has been a long-time supporter of poetry. Here he reads a poem by African American poet, Lucille Clifton, "What the Mirror Said."

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Poetry Out Loud

During the month of April, in celebration of National Poetry Month, I highlighted poetry as an oral art form – the spoken word delivered to an audience. I noted that “the speaking and the hearing of poetry have always been central to its beauty and its effect upon people.”

Throughout the month, I shared video presentations of poets reading or reciting their works as well as other people reading the works of poets. I was able to share oral presentations of nine poets from diverse backgrounds. There were well over 1,000 views of those blog posts. The work of local spoken word artist Michael Harriot, “My Mama's So Black” received the most views, followed closely by Helen Mirren's reading of Tennyson's “Ulysses.”

All of the presentations seemed to be well received. Particularly effective was Bill Murray's reading of “What the Mirror Said,” by Lucille Clifton, and, of course, Maya Angelou's own presentation of “And Still I Rise.” I was glad to hear some Native American perspective with Joy Harjo's presentation.

Some told me that my reading of “Conscientious Objector,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, was their first time to even hear about that poem. Others remarked that “Digging,” by Seamus Heaney was their all time favorite poem. One of my favorites was to be able to sit and listen to an evening with Coleman Barks reading from his translations of Rumi.

I am happy to have done some small part in presenting poetry in its oral form, and glad to have introduced some new voices as well as some old favorites to the readers of my blog. Thank you all for taking time to appreciate poetry as a spoken art form this month.

In case you missed any of them, you will find them listed below, with a hyperlink to take you to each presentation.

Coleman Barks Presents Works by Persian Poet, Rumi

Helen Mirren Reads “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson

“My Mama’s So Black,” by Michael Harriot

“The Lanyard,” by Billy Collins

“And Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou

"Nearly Unbearable Grace," the poetry of Joy Harjo, Native American Poet

Bill Murray Reads “What the Mirror Said,” by Lucille Clifton

“Digging,” by Seamus Heaney

Charles Kinnaird Reads “Conscientious Objector,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Bill Murray Reads "What the Mirror Said," by Lucille Clifton

Celebrating the Spoken Word

Comedian Bill Murray has been a long-time supporter of poetry. Here he reads a poem by Lucille Clifton, "What the Mirror Said."

Here is a  clip from PBS NewsHour telling more about Murray's support of poetry:

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