From the Poetry Foundation: “Marilyn Nelson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, into a military family: she is the daughter of one of the last of the Tuskegee Airmen. Her mother was a teacher. Nelson spent much of her youth living on different military bases and began writing poetry in elementary school. She earned her BA from the University of California at Davis, her MA from the University of Pennsylvania, and her PhD from the University of Minnesota. An accomplished poet and translator, Nelson has also written numerous books for children and young adults.

The Grand Tour: Musical Postcards from the Capitals of Seventeenth-century Europe\nLecture, 4:30 pm; performance, 5:15 pm

The beloved Brass ensemble returns to the Beinecke Library for a special concert

Words are at the heart and soul of poetry. Whether summoned in hours of deep contemplation, snatched from momentary flashes of inspiration, or allowed to tumble out freely in the absence of conscious intervention, words combine to give a poem shape and substance: in the mind, the voice, on the page. From traditional lines of alexandrine verse to the latest experimental forms, they remain the essential element, carriers of sense, sound, cadence, meaning. So what is poetry beyond words?

A weekly series of insightful, engaging, informal talks on materials from the Beinecke Library’s collections and exhibitions, followed by tea on the library mezzanine. Mondays at Beinecke talks take place during the academic year; note: no talks during recesses.
Speakers this semester include:
September 9: Kevin Repp, curator of modern European books & manuscripts, on fall exhibition, “Beyond Words”
September 16: Kerri Sancomb, exhibits production manager, and Megan Czekaj, library exhibits technician, on fall exhibition, “Beyond Words”