Category Archives: Poetry
Fenton Johnson Inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
On September 14, 2017, I was asked to be one of the speakers at a ceremony inducting Fenton Johnson into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. Also on the program—co-sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and held at its wonderful John-Ronan-designed … Continue reading
SLAMS: Poetry and Applause Meters
Is it? Is it unhealthy to hook poetry up to an applause meter? Is it healthier to keep it locked up in university ivory towers, like so much of it is these days? Marc Kelly Smith was thinking about all … Continue reading
Marc Kelly Smith: Slams and Old Coats
Marc Kelly Smith was born and raised on the Southeast Side of Chicago, near the South Chicago Steel Works, which employed both his grandfather and, briefly, his father. Smith attended (but didn’t finish) college, married, had three children, and worked … Continue reading