In today's episode, Loft Podcast regulars Britt Udesen and Kathryn Savage discuss poetry recitation and the power of poetry in moments of struggle, all through the lens of Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a program that the Loft hosts that is also funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

You'll hear the top three winners from this year's statewide competition as well. Anna Kochevar of Arcadia Charter School was named the winner of the 2017 Poetry Out Loud competition. The 2017 Runner-Up was Abigail Etterson from Harbor City International School, Duluth, and third place went to Awazi Jaafaru from Twin Cities Academy High School, St. Paul.