Name: Patricia Smith Reads “Panopticon” by Diane Hamill Metzger by PEN America
Duration: 50 s
Description: Patricia Smith reads Diane Hamill Metzger’s “Panopticon,” winner of an honorable mention for poetry in PEN's 2005 Prison Writing Contest, at the 2009 event Breakout: Voices from Inside. Read the poem below.

Amiri Baraka reads “Rhythm Travel” at the 2008 Beyond Margins Celebration.


Amiri Baraka Reads “Rhythm Travel”

Patricia Smith reads Diane Hamill Metzger’s “Panopticon,” winner of an honorable mention for poetry in PEN's 2005 Prison Writing Contest, at the 2009 event Breakout: Voices from Inside. Read the poem below.


Patricia Smith Reads “Panopticon” by Diane Hamill Metzger

The celebrated poet reads the seminal letter of political protest, in which she became the first and only person to date to refuse the highest honor bestowed upon an artist on behalf of the people. Background and discussion: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/05/16/adrienne-rich-national-medal-of-arts-letter/

Adrienne Rich declines the National Medal of Arts, 1997

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.  Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.


Patricia Smith Reads “Panopticon” by Diane Hamill Metzger

PEN America

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