Veterans and Poetry
Dayl Wise is a Vietnam veteran, a poet, and editor of two collections of veteran poetry. Kathryn Zickuhr asks him his views on war and literature.
Poem: ‘Walking my Dog While at War’
The poet lets loose the dogs of war.
Veterans for Peace Poetry Reading
Arts Event: Where Rivers Meet
This special event will feature poetry and art by Francisco Letelier and music by Jacqueline Fuentes. Join us on October 14 at the Letelier Theater (named in honor of Orlando Letelier) as these artists create a vision of possibility through images, words and music.
Francisco Letelier is well-known for his moving visual art, as well as for his powerful spoken word poetry, which examines and celebrates struggles for human rights. He is the son of Orlando Letelier, the Chilean diplomat who was assassinated by agents of Pinochet in Washington, DC in 1976, on his way to work at the Institute for Policy Studies. Francisco has carried on the legacy of Chilean culture, creating opportunities which bridge continents and disciplines.
Jacqueline Fuentes is an intense experience, a fusion of love, awareness and revolution. Audiences are mesmerized by the power of her voice and the beauty of her lyrics. The volatile political injustices of her native Chile, culminating with the 1973 coup d’etat, gave a voice to folk music and the plight of the people it represented. Jacqueline was heavily influenced by this movement and by such great artists as Mercedes Sosa and Violeta Parra, not only for the beauty of their music but how it had the power to move so many people. Crossing the boundaries of language, religion, and geography their music formed a collective of inspiration and solidarity.
This event is free but seating is limited. Entrance to the building is in the courtyard. See their website for more information.
Please RSVP to emilyh@ips-dc.org.
This performance is in honor of this year’s Letelier-Moffit Human Rights awardees, the Indian Workers Congress and Francisco Soberón and Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH) of Peru for their courageous advocacy of human rights. The Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights awards program will take place Wednesday, October 15, at the National Press Club — visit the event page for more details or to purchase tickets.
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Patricia Smith, in 34, describes the rising waters and the victims they claim.
Hear This Hammer Ring
Poets are coming to Washington to hammer home a message and hammer out a new poetic vision for America in the world.
Salon Series: Politics as Seen Through Creative Arts
Join Split This Rock poets for an engaging evening on the intersection of art and politics.
Isn’t It Enough?
Read her poem Isn’t It Enough?
Interview with Iranian Poet Farideh Hassanzadeh
Iranian poet Farideh Hassanzadeh talks about war, loss, and the politics of poetry.
Interview with Martin Espada
E. Ethelbert Miller talks with poet Martin Espada about the rainforest of Puerto Rico, the shantytowns of Nicaragua, and the poetry of Pablo Neruda.
Pens Not Swords
Sarah Browning writes about how poets have used their distinctive voices to protest war, from the 5th century BC to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.