For four years beginning in 1998, Word Temple host Katherine Hastings served as Alcatraz island's first Docent. Her Mission was to research historical documents stored at the old prison and write interpretive programs based on what she found. Hastings presents a number of poems written by former Alcatraz inmates that she included in a program called Writers on teh Rock - Inmate Poetry, including a Mother's Day poem written by the infamous mobster Al Capone.

Also on the program, Hastings interviews Judith Tannenbaum, co-author of By Heart - Poetry, Prison and Two Lives, a book written with prison inmate Spoon Jackson, whom Tannenbaum met at San Quentin in the 1980s when she taught poetry at the prison.

And, as a prelude to a party held October 23rd at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts celebrating five years of the live Word Temple Poetry Series, Hastings plays recordings of three of the many artists who performed that night: Former California state poet laureate Al Young, Judy Grahn and singer/songwriter Anne Carol Mitchell.

Word Temple host Katherine Hastings interviews Taos, New Mexico poet Catherine Strisik, author of Thousand-Cricket Song.

Also, Molly Fisk reads from her latest collection, The More Difficult Beauty.

Word Temple host Katherine Hastings presents current San Francisco Poet Laureate Diane di Prima who reads from her book Revolutionary Letters. She also plays recordings of poet, hobo, organizer for the Social Democratic party and Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Sandburg reading his work.

Word Temple host Katherine Hastings pays tribute to East Bay poet and writer Leslie Scalapino, who died on May 28th of this year. Scalapino was recognized internationally as one of the most innovative writers in America. Her award-winning work challenged every boundary known to poetry, prose and more.

Also, Iowa poet Keith Ratzlaff, author of Then, a Thousand Crows; Dubious Angels: Poems After Paul Klee and more is interviewed.

Word Temple host Katherine Hastings talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Schultz. Schultz has been celebrated for his singular vision of the American immigrant experience and Jewish identity, his fierce and tender portrayal of family life and his rich evocation of city streets. The program also introduces the life and work of Elizabeth McFarland, late wife of U.S. Poet Laureate Daniel Hoffman.

On December 10, 1958, Langston Hughes - one of America's most important poets, writers and playwrights - gave a stunning talk at U.C. Berkeley. This month, Katherine Hastings introduces and plays that entire reading.

For April, Word Temple host Katherine Hastings presents an hour of poetry and music in celebration of National Poetry Month. You'll hear high school student Giovanny Espinosa, winner of the Sonoma County portion of the national recitation contest Poetry Out Loud, and Brooke McLaughlin, the runner-up. Joyce Jenkins of Poetry Flash pays a visit, as does Pierre Reverdy, through poems translated and read by Dan Bellm. Recordings of Theodore Roethke and other poets will be played, and Hastings will pay a short tribute to Lucille Clifton.

Visiting from Deal in Kent, Lord Gawain Douglas, great-nephew of Lord Alfred Douglas - a poet and Oscar Wilde's lover - talks with host Katherine Hastings and reads his work. Cecilia Woloch, author of five award-winning collections of poems reads from her latest volume, Carpathia. Jack Myers was the author of 18 books of and about poetry including his most recent, The Glowing River, New & Selected Poems.

Katherine Hastings features three poets laureate: Carol Muske Dukes, poet laureate for the State of California; Albert Flynn DeSilver, Marin County's poet laureate; and Gwynn O'Gara, the new poet laureate for Sonoma County.

This month on Word Temple, Jim Powell reads from Substrate, his first collection of poetry in 20 years; and Laura Walker reads poetry from swarm lure and rimertown/an atlas. You will also hear a recording of the late poet Federico Garcia Lorca playing piano in accompaniment to La Argentina singing Los Cuatro Muleres.