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October 23, 2007 • KR Blog • Writing

Poetry with the Stars

By Tyler Meier

A few weeks ago, I saw that Ani Difranco will be releasing a book of poetry. She’s not the first to offer song lyrics to the literati–there’s a litany of lead singers who have done this before. Jewel’s A Night Without Armor is the modern standard–but there are offerings from Alicia Keys (Tears for Water), Ashanti (FOOLISH/UNFOOLISH), Billy Corgan (Blinking with Fists) and Jeff Tweedy (Adult Head). Steve Earle, the country music rocker, has a collection of stories, Doghouse Roses.

There were forebears. Bob Dylan’s Tarantula came out in 1971. Jim Morrison’s The Lords and the New Creatures came out the same year (also the year of his death.) Leonard Cohen’s Let us Compare Mythologies appeared in 1956. Joni Mitchell did it then and is doing it now: “Bad Dreams are Good” appeared a month ago in The New Yorker.

The actor Jack Palance wrote poems too, and published them in The Forest of Love: A Love Story in Blank Verse. However, Leonard Nimoy, aka Mr. Spock, has been prolific. His work includes Come Be with Me, We Are All Children Searching for Love, and You and I, and A Lifetime of Love.

Here’s some of Nimoy’s verse:

I am convinced
That if all mankind
Could only gather together
In one circle
Arms around each other’s shoulders
And dance, laugh and cry
Together
Then much
of the tension and burden
of life
Would fall away
In the knowledge that
We are all children
Needing and wanting
Each other’s
Comfort and
Understanding
We are all children
Searching for love

Maybe this post should be a lesson to MFA programs looking to help graduates publish? Teach them to sing. Teach them to look good in front of the camera. It helps.

About the Program

The Kenyon Review Associates Program provides Kenyon students with valuable experience in literary editing, publishing, and programming. KR Associates work closely with Kenyon Review staff, gaining valuable experience in a number of editing, publishing, and programming areas including manuscript evaluation, publicity and marketing, copy editing, developing web site and social media content, outreach programming, event planning and promotion, and other creative and editorial projects

KR Associates attend regular seminars conducted by Kenyon Review editorial staff, visiting readers, and publishing industry professionals. These seminars cover a wide range of topics including editorial philosophy, evaluation of submissions, print and electronic production, marketing, and design.

KR Associates also enjoy exclusive access to visiting writers and speakers, free issues of The Kenyon Review, and valuable work experience and employment references.

This program is made possible through an initiative of the Kenyon Review, part of the mission of which is to contribute to the enrichment of the academic, cultural, and artistic life of the Kenyon College community.

Requirements and Expectations

  • Submission Evaluation: All Associates are required to read and evaluate eight Kenyon Review submissions per week. Associates who are not able to complete their weekly submission assignments for more than two weeks in a row may not be allowed to continue in the program.
  • Trainings and Seminars: In-person attendance is mandatory at all trainings and seminars. We plan on scheduling six to eight seminars per semester, and most will take place on Thursdays during common hour.
  • Literary Engagement: Associates are expected to participate in literary events on campus and throughout the local community.

Application Details

Applications for the Associates Program are accepted each fall. Kenyon students will receive more information about the program and a link to the application via campus email near the beginning of the fall semester.

Questions? Please contact Jamie Lyn Smith for more information.

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