[New-Poetry] 'Poetry can speak decisively to power'

[JforJames at aol.com]

_http://books.guardian.co.uk/poetry/features/0,,2183290,00.html_ 
(http://books.guardian.co.uk/poetry/features/0,,2183290,00.html) 

'Poetry can speak decisively to power'

In the build-up to National Poetry Day this week, the poet laureate,  Andrew 
Motion, spoke at a Poet in the City event in the House of Commons about  the 
relationship between poetry and power. This is what he said. 
 
Thursday October 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited 

Andrew Motion: 'The sacred duty of poets is to tell the truth about  humanity 
whatever those in authority have to say.' Photograph: Jane  Bown

Thank you very much for inviting me to speak about Poetry and  Power; I'm 
happy to do this - especially because it means renewing my contact  with Poet in 
the City, a terrific scheme run with wonderful energy and  resourcefulness by 
Graham Henderson.
Graham has asked me to do three things:  to say something about the 
relationship between poetry and power in general; to  say something about the 
relationship between power and the post of Poet Laureate  that I occupy; and to read 
something which has to do with the subject. That's a  lot in 10 minutes, but 
here we go.




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