Jackson Poetry Prize Winner Elizabeth Alexander Reads Work

Poets & Writers named Elizabeth Alexander the inaugural recipient of a new, major literary award, the Jackson Poetry Prize. Learn more at www.pw.org.

In December 2008, it was announced that Elizabeth Alexander will read at the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. Ms. Alexander will be only the fourth poet in history to read at a presidential inauguration.

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[arsepoetica71]

this lady needs to take poetry 101 and read bukowski. her work is unimpressive.

[ismokeflowers]

I understand why everyone thinks the way she reads it sucks, and I did to at first, but I listened to it again and I, think, she, wrote, it, to, sound that, way. Musical expression in poetry.

[USA3333]

awful! messes up the flow so much. shit crap bals

[Engel03011987]

.............

[blitzpost]

Oops. My comment above refers to the inaugural poem. I think it's worth listening to again.

[blitzpost]

Try listening to the poem a few times and really listen. It will unfold. The language is plain, but there's a lot going on in it and it's inspiring. I think Obama's speech could be re-read or listened to a few times for the same reason. I can see why Obama likes her. He has good taste. It's cool that he included poetry in his inauguration and introduced us to Ms. Alexander. Give her a chance. Give it another listen.

[tchyeah]

i hate her pauses in between words. it kills the flow.

[runescapemaster518]

3cpo could recite a better poem!!!

[Kurtyoungblood]

Degoutant.

[gothkillya]

Are we talking about the same poem? Cuz it fucking sucked.