Poetry (Audio)

Haiti Stories/Istwa Ayiti: People Poetry

Contributed by Lukas

A diverse group of storytellers gathers to explore how stories about Haiti are told. Explore the poetry of Haiti. Series: "Haiti Stories/Istwa Ayiti" ...

Paola Capó-García: Poet Laureate on Humor Intimacy and Voice in Poetry

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Poetry becomes more approachable when it reflects everyday language, humor, and lived experience. San Diego Poet Laureate Paola Capó-García explores...

The Voices of Babyn Yar Featuring Poet Marianna Kiyanovska

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In late September 1941, tens of thousands of people were massacred over two days in a ravine known as Babyn Yar on the outskirts of Nazi-occupied Kyiv...

Earth Light

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sian Proctor, astronaut, geoscientist, pilot and poet, flew on the first all-private mission to Earth orbit, on SpaceX Dragon. While in orbit, sh...

A Conversation with Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Magabo Perez, San Diego's Poet Laureate, engages with UC San Diego's Erik Mitchell in a revealing conversation about his poetic journey and its ...

Lamya's Poem

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Filmmaker Sam Kadi joins moderator Juan Campo, professor of religious studies at UC Santa Barbara, for a discussion of the film Lamya’s Poem. Togeth...

KAHNOP - To Tell a Story (Short Version)

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An 800-foot-long stone path of words, KAHNOP • TO TELL A STORY is the 22nd public artwork commissioned by the Stuart Collection at UC San Diego. The...

Walking on Poetry - KAHNOP - To Tell a Story

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An 800-foot-long stone path of words, KAHNOP • TO TELL A STORY is the 22nd public artwork commissioned by the Stuart Collection at UC San Diego. The...

A Conversation with N. Scott Momaday - Writer's Symposium by the Sea 2023

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Poet, novelist and Native American scholar N. Scott Momaday has spent decades bringing his culture and the landscape alive through his writing. He re...

Let's Jam: Poet Thomas Dooley

17 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our series of artists and educators connecting arts and humanities to medicine continues continues with Thomas Dooley, poet-in-residence at the Center...

An Evening with Alice Walker - Writer's Symposium by the Sea 2020

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An internationally celebrated American novelist, short story writer, poet, and activist, Walker's work has been translated into more than two dozen la...

Rap on Trial: Is it a Crime to Rhyme?

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Should your art send you to prison? Rap lyrics are increasingly turning up as evidence in courtrooms across the country. The fictional characters port...

From War Child to Global Citizen with Emmanuel Jal

07 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Emmanuel Jal, an internationally recognized hip-hop musician, former child soldier turned activist and entrepreneur, shares his story and music. Jal w...

Yusef Komunyakaa - The 2017 Diana and Simon Raab Writer-in-Residence

05 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Yusef Komunyakaa, an internationally renowned poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for “Neon Vernacular: New and Selected Poems," reads and discusses his...

An Evening with Robert Pinsky - Point Loma Writer’s Symposium by the Sea 2017

03 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky describes himself as a "composer" who considers poetry to be first and foremost a vocal art, and his work seeks to ...

Famous Ramayana Epic Now in Modern English

07 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley professors, Robert and Sally Goldman, led the 40-year project to translate the Sanskrit epic poem Valmiki Ramayana to modern English. Ser...

Resilient Love in a Time of Hate: A Discussion with David Kim and Sunni Patterson

05 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

New Orleans native Sunni Patterson is an internationally-known Def poetry artist and activist. She is joined in a conversation with George Lipsitz and...

Potent Poet Sunni Patterson

28 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

New Orleans native Sunni Patterson powerfully recites one of her many poems. Series: "Voices" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31630]

The Poems of Nikki Giovanni -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium by the Sea 2016

06 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Poet Nikki Giovanni reads a selection of her poems as part of the 2016 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "W...

An Evening with Nikki Giovanni -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium by the Sea 2016

19 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Author, spoken word artist, poet, essayist, professor, Nikki Giovanni has been electrifying audiences for more than 40 years, earning her one of Oprah...

Lunch Poems: 2015 Student Reading

27 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

One of the year’s most lively events, the student reading includes winners of the following prizes: Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and ...

Joshua Weiner - Lunch Poems

08 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Joshua Weiner is the author of three books of poetry, most recently, The Figure of a Man Being Swallowed by a Fish (2013). He is also the editor of At...

Jane Hirshfield - Lunch Poems

08 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jane Hirshfield's eighth poetry book, The Beauty, appears from Knopf in early 2015, along with a new book of essays, Ten Windows. Previous books inclu...

Harmony Holiday - Lunch Poems

04 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Harmony Holiday is a poet, dancer, and archivist, mythscientist and the author of Negro League Baseball (Fence, 2011), Go Find Your Father/ A Famous B...

Maria Hummel - Story Hour in the Library

27 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Maria Hummel is the author of the award-winning poetry collection “House and Fire“ and of two novels, “Motherland” and “Wilderness Run.” H...

Gillian Conoley - Lunch Poems

09 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Gillian Conoley was born in Austin Texas, where, on its rural outskirts, her father and mother owned and operated a radio station. She is the author o...

Lunch Poems: La Dawn Duvall Reads Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

02 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Executive Director of Visitor and Parent Services La Dawn Duvall reads Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomenal Woman.” Series: "Lunch Poems ...

Robin Robertson - Lunch Poems

02 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Robin Robertson is from the Northeast coast of Scotland. He has published five collections of poetry—most recently Hill of Doors—and received a nu...

Lunch Poems: Joseph Defraine Greenwell Reads Alone by Maya Angelou

05 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Joseph Defraine Greenwell reads Maya Angelou’s poem “Alone.” Series: "Lunch Poems Rea...

Lunch Poems: Carolyn Merchant reads The Lesson by David Iltis

09 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Professor of Environmental History, Philosphy and Ethics Carolyn Merchant reads David Iltis’ poem “The Lesson” Series: "Lunch Poems ...

Frank O’Hara’s Lunch Poems Turns 50: An Anniversary Celebration

08 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In partnership with City Lights Books, who first published Frank O’Hara’s “Lunch Poems” 50 years ago, this special event features readings fro...

Lunch Poems: 2014 Kick-Off

01 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, this event features distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines...

Lunch Poems: Kimmen Sjölander reads Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda

26 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Bioengineering Professor Kimmen Sjölander reads “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [A...

Rowan Ricardo Phillips - Lunch Poems

08 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Rowan Ricardo Phillips, award-winning poet, literary and art critic, and translator reads to an audience at UC Berkeley. His first collection of poems...

Lunch Poems: 2014 Student Reading

11 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The annual student reading includes winners of the following prizes: Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and Yang, as well as students nominat...

Lunch Poems: Margo Bennett (Excerpt)

28 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Police Chief Margo Bennet reads “The Journey” by Mary Oliver. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 27812]

Lunch Poems: Keith Gilless (Excerpt)

23 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Dean & Professor of Forest Economics Keith Gilless reads "The Rhodora" by Ralph Waldo Emerson Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts a...

Lunch Poems: Timothy Hampton (Excerpt)

18 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley professor Timothy Hampton reads the poem “Of All Works” by Bertolt Brecht. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show...

Leonore Wilson - Lunch Poems

02 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Leonore Wilson is Poet Laureate of Napa Valley and author of “Western Solstice” published by Hiraeth Press. She has received fellowships from Vill...

Lunch Poems: Dylan Hendricks (Excerpt)

05 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Dylan Hendricks reads “I Carry Your Heart With Me” by E. E. Cummings. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ...

Zubair Ahmed - Lunch Poems

28 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Zubair Ahmed was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2005, his family won the Diversity Visa Lottery, which granted them the opportunity to immig...

Cynthia Cruz - Lunch Poems

21 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Cynthia Cruz’s poems have been published in the New Yorker, Paris Review, Boston Review, American Poetry Review, Kenyon Review and others. Her first...

Lunch Poems: Patricia Penn Hilden (Excerpt)

21 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Professor Emerita Patricia Penn Hilden reads “Indian Boarding School: The Runaways” by Louise Erdrich [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 27820...

Lunch Poems: Nicholas B. Dirks (Excerpt)

07 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas B. Dirks reads from Seamus Heaney's "Verses for a Fordham Commencement". Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts an...

Lunch Poems: Keith P. Feldman (Excerpt)

07 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley assistant professor Keith P. Feldman reads from Mahmoud Darwish’s “Memory for Forgetfulness”. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [...

Linda Gregerson - Lunch Poems

07 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Linda Gregerson is the author of five books of poetry, most recently The Selvage (2012). Her many honors include awards from the American Academy of A...

Lunch Poems: Maria Mavroudi (Excerpt)

18 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Maria Mavroudi reads the poem “Bouzouki” by A. E. Stallings. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 27821...

Lunch Poems: Jane Youn (Excerpt)

03 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Jane Youn reads the poem “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop. [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 27823]

Lunch Poems: C.S. Giscombe (Excerpt)

05 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Award winning writer and poet C. S. Giscombe reads a poem before an audience at UC Berkeley, where he also teaches English. Series: "Lunch Poems Readi...

Zeyar Lynn - Lunch Poems

27 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This reading is a special event celebrating the first anthology of Burmese poetry in English translation in more than fifty years. At a time of politi...

Lunch Poems: 2013 Kick-Off

20 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, this event features distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines...

California's Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera

18 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Juan Felipe Herrera presents recent works before attendees of the Global Food Systems Forum and ANR Statewide Conference at Ontario, California. Serie...

Lunch Poems: Lyn Hejinian (Excerpt)

11 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lyn Hejinian,the author of numerous books, reads at UC Berkeley. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 25628]

Lunch Poems: Aaron Shurin (Excerpt)

30 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Shurin is the author of eleven books of poetry and prose, most recently Citizen, a collection of prose poems and King of Shadows, a collection o...

Lunch Poems: Giovanni Singleton (Excerpt)

12 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

A reading of “ascension” by Giovanni Singleton. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 25643]

A Father's Day Tale by Juan Felipe Herrera

05 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

California Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera shares stories and life lessons from his father. [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 25525]

Lunch Poems: 2013 Student Reading

05 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

One of the year’s most lively events, the student reading includes winners of the following prizes: Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and ...

C.S. Giscombe - Lunch Poems

10 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Award winning writer and poet C. S. Giscombe has written many poems, books, and plays. He was the 2010 recipient of the Stephen Henderson Award given...

Cathy Park Hong - Lunch Poems

03 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Cathy Park Hong's first book, Translating Mo'um, was published in 2002 by Hanging Loose Press. Dance Dance Revolution, her second collection, received...

Lyn Hejinian - Lunch Poems

13 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lyn Hejinian is the author of numerous books, including most recently The Book of a Thousand Eyes and The Wide Road, written in collaboration with Car...

The Poems of Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium By the Sea 2013

06 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

American poet Billy Collins reads a selection of humorous poems for appreciative audience in this keynote event of the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by th...

The Sandhill Cranes of Nebraska by Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium by the Sea 2013

22 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

American Poet Billy Collins reads “The Sandhill Cranes of Nebraska” at the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene ...

A Dog on His Master and The Revenant by Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium by the Sea 2013

15 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

American Poet Billy Collins reads “A Dog on His Master” and “The Revenant” at the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, sponsored by Point Lom...

An Evening with Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium By the Sea 2013

01 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

American poet Billy Collins reads a selection of humorous poems and then discusses the craft of writing with Dean Nelson and an appreciative audience ...

Divorce by Billy Collins -- Point Loma Writer’s Symposium By the Sea 2013

21 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

American Poet Billy Collins reads “Divorce” at the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University. Series: "Wr...

Aaron Shurin - Lunch Poems

11 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Shurin is the author of eleven books of poetry and prose, most recently Citizen, a collection of prose poems and King of Shadows, a collection o...

Kathleen Fraser - Lunch Poems

14 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Kathleen Fraser’s newest collection, m o v a b l e TYYPE, foregrounds texts from four recently produced Artist Books. Her collected essays, Translat...

Lunch Poems: 2012 Kick-Off

07 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, this event features distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines...

Lunch Poems: 2012 Student Reading

06 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

One of the year’s most lively events, the student reading includes winners of the following prizes: Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and ...

Lunch Poems: Richard Berengarten

11 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Berengarten (aka Richard Burns) was born in London in 1943. The author of more than twenty books, Berengarten has been something of a maverick...

Lunch Poems: Giovanni Singleton

14 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

This reading celebrates the publication of “ascension,” the first book of poems by giovanni singleton, coordinator of Lunch Poems. She has recentl...

Lunch Poems: Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon

27 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon was awarded the Cave Canem Poetry Prize for Black Swan, her debut collection of poems that mixes vernacular language with cla...

Clayton Eshelman Reads Aimé Césaire - Lunch Poems

20 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Clayton Eshleman, American poet, translator, and editor, reads from his recently released translation “Solar Throat Slashed,” by Aimé Césaire, c...

Lunch Poems: Robert Hass Reads Czeslaw Milosz

19 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Born in San Francisco, Robert Haas is a California poet but his poetry, translations, and essays reveal an intimacy that transcends the borders of sta...

Lunch Poems: 2011 Kick Off

12 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines introduce and read...

Lunch Poems: Maxine Hong Kingston (excerpt)

04 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley's popular noontime poetry series is under the direction of UC Berkeley professor and former Poet Laureate Robert Hass and features renowne...

Lunch Poems: Student Reading 2011

15 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley students read original poetry at the close of Lunch Poems for 2011. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [S...

Lunch Poems: Geoffrey G. O’Brien

20 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Geoffrey G. O’Brien is the author of “Green and Gray” and “The Guns and Flags Project,” and co-author of “2A.” His third collection, “...

Lunch Poems: Truong Tran

13 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Poet, visual artist and teacher Truong Tran, is the author of several publications including, “The Book of Perceptions,” “Placing The Accents,”...

Lunch Poems: Kick Off 2010

25 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, this event features distinguished faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines...

Lunch Poems: Indigo Moor

18 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Charlotte, North Carolina native Indigo Moor has authored two books of poetry. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 19349]

Lunch Poems: Camille Dungy

04 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Camille Dungy is the author of two poetry collections and teaches creative writing at San Francisco State University. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Se...

Lunch Poems: Student Reading 2010

26 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The student reading includes winners of the following prizes: Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and Yang, as well as students nominated by B...

Black Nature: The First Anthology of Nature Writing by African-American Poets

10 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Join contributors to “Black Nature,” the First Anthology of Nature Writing by African-American Poets including the writers Harryette Mullen, Ed Ro...

Lunch Poems: Lisa Chen

26 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Lisa Chen earned a BA from UC Berkeley and an MFA from the University of Iowa. Her debut collection of poetry, mouth, received...

Lunch Poems: Eavan Boland

26 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Eavan Boland is one of the foremost voices in Irish literature. Her ten volumes of poetry include Against Love Poetry, which ...

Lunch Poems: Dan Bellm

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Bellm has published three books of poetry, including Practice, winner of a 2009 California Book Award and named one of the Top Ten Poetry Books of...

Lunch Poems: Natasha Trethewey

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Natasha Trethewey is author of Native Guard, for which she won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize; Bellocq’s Ophelia, named a 2003 Notable Book by the American...

Lunch Poems: Graham Foust

12 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Knoxville, Tennessee native Graham Foust is the author of four books of poetry: As in Every Deafness, Leave the Room to Itself, Necessary Stranger, an...

Lunch Poems: Student Reading 2009

05 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Winners of the Academy of American Poets, Cook, Rosenberg, and Yang prizes, as well as students nominated by Berkeley’s creative writing faculty, Lu...

Lunch Poems: Richard O. Moore

05 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

At nearly 90 years old, Richard Moore is the last of the legendary San Francisco Renaissance poets. Arriving in 1934, he was among the many émigrés ...

Lunch Poems: Kick-off 2009

17 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Robert Hass and University Librarian Thomas C. Leonard, the kickoff features distinguished new members of the UC Berkeley English Department...

Lunch Poems: C.D. Blanton (excerpt)

01 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

C.D. Blanton of the UC Berkeley English departments a poem by Saint-John Perse. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17992]

Lunch Poems: Vikram Chandra (excerpt)

01 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Vikram Chandra teaches creative writing at UC Berkeley. He reads a poem by Robert Hayden. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: ...

Lunch Poems: Mark Goble (excerpt)

28 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Mark Goble reads two short poems. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17995]

Lunch Poems: David Landreth (excerpt)

26 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

David Landreth reads the first sestina in the English language written by Edmund Spenser. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID:...

Lunch Poems: Eric Falci (excerpt)

21 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Falci of the UC Berkeley English Department reads part of a Seamus Heaney poem. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17994...

Lunch Poems: Namwali Serpell (excerpt)

18 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Namwali Serpell reads a poem by Elizabeth Bishop. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17997]

Lunch Poems: Emily Thornbury (excerpt)

18 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkeley’s Emily Thornbury reads a riddle in poetry. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17998]

Lunch Poems: Melanie Abrams (excerpt)

14 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Melanie Abrams reads her poetry. She currently teaches creative writing at UC Berkeley. Series: "Lunch Poems Reading Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 17...