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4.15.14: Remembering The Boston Marathon Bombings & Poetry And Silence

bpl.org

Crowds are gathering in Boston today to mark the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. Today on Word of Mouth, we remember the victims, the injured, the first responders, and all of those who offered help.

Remembering the Boston Marathon Bombings

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Mel Allen: “The Memories We Choose”

  • WBUR Oral History Project: Dr. David King: Dr. David King shared his Boston Marathon story with the WBUR Oral History Project. For more on the story of Dr. King, click here.
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WBUR Oral History Project: Dr. David King

  • Earlier today, the Hynes convention Center held a tribute ceremony to commemorate the Boston Marathon bombings one year ago today. The two explosions left three dead and more than 260 injured, plunging a beloved Boston event into chaos. We are going to join those across the nation in taking a pause at 2:49 pm – the time that the first blast occurred. We will observe a moment of silence for those killed and injured by the blasts, along with the first responders,  the courageous and helpful bystanders… and all of those affected.

Poetry and Silence

  • Last night the peepers were a chorus of yearning from the pond near my house. It’s a welcome sound of spring and of the natural world doing its thing – far from the sirens and horns of urban centers… and a world apart from Facebook updates, YouTube videos, and political shouting matches on TV. Finding an escape from the noise is, as it turns out, kind of pricey. The writer Chole Schamaobserves the proliferation of near-silent luxury cars, noise-canceling headphones, and growing popularity of silent retreats, in an article for New Republic called“Silence Is Now a Luxury Product”.
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Cole Schama: “Silence Is Now a Luxury Product”

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Victoria Chang: “13 Poetry Collections for People Who Think They Don’t Like Poetry”

  • We understand that poetry can be a little intimidating for the uninitiated. That’s why we’re celebrating National Poetry Month with a low stakes challenge, asking listeners to create and send in their own original Haikus about public radio.
  • Submit your public radio Haiku throughFacebook or Twitter (#radiohaiku)
  • Poetry Out Loud: The Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Concord. As part of the competition, high school students from around the state bring their favorite poems to life in front of a live audience. Because April is National Poetry Month, we decided to bring a taste of the event directly to you.
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Poetry Out Loud: Aliyah Brown

  • Allen Ginsberg's "Howl": We end the show by looking back at a specific moment in the life of a young poet before he became famous. That's when 28 year old Allen Ginsberg stood up and publicly read his poem "Howl" for the very first time. Producer Paul McDonald brings us the story.
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Allen Ginsberg's "Howl"

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