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From the Archives: Poet Philip Levine On "What Work Is."

Pulitzer prize-winning poet Philip Levine. He grew up in Detroit and worked in the factories as a young man. He's probably best known for his 1992 book of poems about the working class, "What Work Is," (Knopf) which won a National Book Award. He has several volumes of poetry as well as a sort of memoir. He won the Pulitzer for his collection, "The Simple Truth" (Knopf). His latest collection of poems is "The Mercy" (Knopf). (REBROADCAST from 7/22/91)

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Other segments from the episode on April 23, 1999

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 23, 1999: Interview with Monica Lewinsky; Interview with Robert Pinsky; Interview with Philip Levine; Review of the film "Election."

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Poet Philip Levine's Lesser Known Work

The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet grew up in Detroit and worked in the factories as a young man. He's probably best known for his 1992 book of poems about the working class, "What Work Is," which won the National Book Award. He has several volumes of poetry as well as a memoir. His forthcoming book is called "Unselected Poems."

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22:22

Poet Philip Levine On "What Work Is."

Poet Philip Levine. Levine's considered one of this country's preeminent poet, but before he turned to poetry he put in years working factory jobs. The images of those early days continue to influence his writings. Levine's latest collection of poems is called "What Work Is." (It's published by Knopf).

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Poet Natasha Trethewey, Hymning the Native Guard

Natasha Trethewey was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Native Guard, her most recent collection of poetry. The title refers to a regiment of African- American soldiers who fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Trethewey grew up the child of a racially mixed marriage in Mississippi. Her mother was murdered by her stepfather; these, along with the South and its singular ways, are recurring themes in her poetry.

Trethewey teaches creative writing at Emory University. Native Guard is her third collection.

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