Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” Robert Frost said, “A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness,” and Charles Baudelaire implores us, “always be a poet, even in prose.” And so today, we’re going to take a brief excursion in the world of poetry in Western civilization, touching on the impulse to express as it is found in ancient and modern settings. Before written language, humanity’s history and heritage was held in sound and what better sound is there than a particularly poignant poem?

Beowulf

Syd Lieberman performs a rendition of one of hte oldest surviving poems in the English language. To learn more about Syd Lieberman visit www.sydlieberman.com

The Grecian Urn

Inspired by John Keats' poem, "Ode to a Grecian Urn," Robin Schulte shares a story that explains how art helps make memories last. To learn more about Robin's work visit www.robinschulte.com

Image of a Cowboy

We think of cowboys as an icon of Americana, of true grit, and of a time long gone which are all things that make the cowboy image ripe for the poetic treatment. Joe Herrington shares this poem that highlights the iconic type in American history. To learn more about Joe Herrington visit www.joeherrington.com

The Colored Soldiers

Storyteller Mitch G. Capel dedicates some of his work as a performer to highlighting the life and poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a figure in American history who is widely acknowledged as the first important African-American poet in American literature. To learn more about Mitch G. Capel visit www.gjbug.com

When Malindy Sings

Paul Laurence Dunbar's poetry is revered by many people throughout history for his representation of black life in America at the turn-of-the-century. Oni Lasana is a multi-disciplinary storyteller who draws from African American history, among other areas. Learn more about Oni Lasana's work by visiting www.onilasana.com

Bristlecone Pine

A cowboy poem from Waddie Mitchell that showcases the observant eye of a poet. Learn more about Waddie Mitchell by visiting www.somagency.com/waddie-mitchell

I Am From

Minton Sparks uses music and poetry to paint electrifying pictures of the rural South. To learn more about Minton Sparks visit mintonsparks.com

Jack Poems

Do you remember where you first heard your first nursery rhymes? For Donald Davis, it was from his grandmother. Learn more about his work by visiting www.ddavisstoryteller.com

Ode to 398.2

Storyteller Heather Forest is a performer who knows the importance of a ballad. Here is a short one that discusses how art inspires and begets even more art. Learn more about her work by visiting www.heatherforest.com

What Man Was John Clare?

Leslie Norris was a professor of creative writing and Poet-In-Residence at Brigham Young University. His body of works highlights the beauty of nature and he was considered one of the most important Welsh writers of the post-war period. Read more about the late Leslie Norris by visiting his Wikipedia page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Norris

The Spell of the Woods

Leslie Norris was a professor of creative writing and Poet-In-Residence at Brigham Young University. His body of works highlights the beauty of nature and he was considered one of the most important Welsh writers of the post-war period. Read more about the late Leslie Norris by visiting his Wikipedia page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Norris