At the invitation of the U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky's Favorite Poem Project, the Center and the University's Department of English joined forces to stage an Oxford community poetry reading at Off Square Books on November 10, 1998. Planned around a timely visit by Poet Laureate Pinsky, the reading was an inspiring demonstration of the vitality of a community and the power of the spoken word.

Oxonians were asked to submit their favorite poem, along with a brief explanation of the poem's meaning to them. From these submissions, a committee of three--Cody Morrison of Square Books, Anne Fisher-Wirth of the Department of English, and Kathryn McKee, who teaches English and Southern Studies--chose 15 readers of various ages, professions, and literary interests.

Robert Pinsky introduced the reading by explaining the Favorite Poetry Project's mission: to create an archive of thousands of Americans reading aloud their favorite poetry by the year 2000. Oxford Mayor Pat Lamar began the program with a moving rendition of her favorite poem, Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." The remainder of readings ranged from the classic--as in Dan Williams's interpretation of Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73," to the thoroughly modern verse of Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman," spiritedly performed by Kisha McNulty. At the end of the program, Robert Pinsky captured the sentiments of everyone when he declared the reading a "successful celebration of poetry and community."

For more information about the Favorite Poem Project, or how to hold a reading, contact project director Maggie Dietz at Boston University: 617-353-2821.

Angela Griffin