Charlie Rose

nwyliejones  02/28/2009 10:54 PM Report

Kay, my two famorite poems are Thin and Death by Fruit" and....

Charlie, you should have poetry show with Billy Collins, David Lehman, Robert Pinsky, Charles Simic, and Kelly Cherry. N. Wylie Jones

John  11/09/2008 02:32 PM Report

I agree Eminem is better.

Shalom Freedman  11/09/2008 01:36 AM Report

A little poem -

At heart,

a home-

And the soul,

less alone.

Poetry Lover  11/08/2008 04:49 PM Report

Are you kidding me!?

Eminem is much craftier with his words than this overblown talent. Much respect, she is good, but Eminem is better.

CPP  11/08/2008 11:25 AM Report

I am so appreciative when you feature those who have a deep affection for the interplay of vocabulary whether it be in the form of poetry, screen writing, or novel. Having the artist read their work is especially insightful as is having someone else's recitation presented. Georgia O'Keefe once remarked on one interpretation of her large flower paintings as reflecting sensuality by saying,"That's what someone else sees, not what I see." That's the true beauty and value in art, isn't it? We see what we see and make it our own. Also, I am always impressed with the transparent honesty and beautiful use of language when listening to a poet speak and Kay Ryan is no exception. What an exceptional person and wonderful choice for Poet Laureate. I only hope that she will find the personal time and space to continue writing while in the midst of this honor and that she will not have to wait a year or so to find it.

Thank you so much for sharing her with us!

Catherine Castellanos  11/07/2008 03:52 PM Report

Dear Charlie,

It is the nature of the (poet) beast that they are the best to read their intimacies. I believe what makes us love a poet is recognition of that kindred angst or spirit. For many years of my life, the art of poetry was beyond me, yet I interpreted that into "not liking poetry at all!" But I was always curious. And intimidated. It wasn't until I was lucky enough to work with poets, with their words, and bring their words to life, was I able to allow myself to be awe struck by these writers. I work as an actor in the bay area in CA with a company called Campo Santo where writers and poets, among playwrights, are inspired to write for the company. Our playwright in residence is Denis Johnson, this year's National Book Award recipient for Tree of Smoke. He pointed out to me once that I had brought some 13 or so characters of his to life--kinda trippy, for both of us! Other poets who wrote plays for us include Jessica Hagedorn, Jimmy Santiago Baca, and amazing writers like Naomi Iizuka and Phillip Gan Kotanda, to name a few. And, Charlie, on every one of our literary events, celebrating the writer before a performance, and the writers read their own words to our waiting and excited audience, and the poets read their own poems? It's just perfect, and so simple. And we await in the wings to do our/their show with our ears to the walls listening to these glorious writers, and we have weeks and weeks of rehearsals under our belts, and STILL, Charlie, no one could read it better than the poet him/herself.

Poetry can be humiliating sometimes, so consider your reading today as a gift of experience. How lucky you are!

Thanks for the show.

Donna Mussato  11/07/2008 11:47 AM Report

In 1996 i read with Kay Ryan in a small cafe in Novato, CA. She is a perfect example of "do-not-give-up-ever" on your passion, your art. Many artists are a conduit to the universe drawing strength from information. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950's. My father came to the "windy city" in 1922, started working on the IHB (Indiana Harbor Belt) railroad as a fireman on the old steam engines (Mikados-built by the Baldwin Company). He had been taken out of school at age 9, put to work in a lumber camp, worked as a cook on the barges from Pittsburgy to New Orleans (Western Kentucky near Paducah is "Big River Country, the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, all leading into the Mississippi). His older brother got him the job on the river boats. As he told me, "Then I started riding the rails to work in oil fields in Louisiana and Oklahoma; used a "God-damned brick for a pillow one night." He finally after all of that wound up in Chicago. He said, "Donna Jane, if you couldn't get a job in Chicago, you couldn't get one anywhere." The reason for all this information is this: I grew up reading, I worked as a waitress. I grew up writing poems and stories all my life. I moved to Marin County (a company move for my husband 35 years ago) one of the most wealthy and beautiful counties in this country. I started writing classes at the junion college; College of Marin in 1973. I haven't stopped my pursuit and passion of words, expression (both the written and spoken word). I share two poems in the MARIN Poetry Center Anthology (Volume 11-2008). I couldn't be more proud. I've attended Squaw Valley, Napa Valley, Poet's House (North of Belfast in Ireland). THANK YOU for the excellent interview with KAY RYAN...one of the most diserving Poets of our day. I would like to send Mr. Charlie Rose a copy of this anthology. (PS. This program is our favorite talk program on TV.)

hrc  11/07/2008 02:14 AM Report

I remember the days I think when this would be an hour program and not a show snippet. I think I suspect this more and more lately. I think I think and think and think. It's a bit too much. What's so important we can't just focus on things at one sitting. Anyway, it was a treat to listen in on this conversation. I wouldn't call the poems musical, more like tonal illumination.

Bonnie Towles  11/07/2008 12:10 AM Report

More poets! Wonderful show... Kay Ryan is a bit butch, and self-interested, but, yes, interesting... and I love her poetry ... especially when she reads it.