The Maine Arts Commission says, there are more poets in Maine, per capita, than any other state. One reason? Maine is a frontier.

Maine is the last stop in the United States on the east coast before Canada. "The end of the line," some say. The state lies at the northern edge of the urban buzz of the megalopolis - the sprawl of Boston, New York, and Washington DC. And that "edge-ness" is appealing to poets.

Maine attracts and inspires poets who desire an artistic environment without the stress of big city life... Poets who want the natural world closer to their daily lives… and poets who welcome the warmth of small, supportive communities. Plus Maine has an extensive university system and creative economy.

So, in short, poetry thrives in Maine. 

Words From the Frontier: Poetry in Maine captures the unique voice of contemporary Maine poets in a lively, sound-rich radio program for broadcast and the internet. On this website, you'll find the sixty-minute radio program plus audio not included in the program such as interview excerpts and many poetry readings. Featured are fifteen Maine poets: Nate Amadon, Kate Barnes, Christian Barter, Annie Blevins, Kathleen Ellis, Ted Enslin, Annie Finch, Gary Lawless, Wes McNair, Pat Ranzoni, Ira Sadoff, Candice Stover, Jeffrey Thomson, Elizabeth Tibbetts, and Baron Wormser.

Words From the Frontier: Poetry in Maine was produced for WMPG, Greater Portland Community Radio at the University of Southern Maine, by Maine's Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl and Radio Producer Rob Rosenthal. Public radio reporter Charlotte Albright narrated the program. Our project partner was the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. Funding was provided by the Maine Arts Commission, a state agency, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and the Fisher Charitable Trust.

Please stay as long as you like and come back often to explore Words From the Frontier: Poetry in Maine.

(use the player at the right to hear a sampling of readings from our featured poets >>)

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