Poetry in Motion (1982)

More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Several also comment. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poets and of a poem. These poets are energetic performers, and their poems are meant to be heard. These poets are the children of Walt Whitman and of Charles Olson, incantatory and oratorical, radical, sometimes incorporating contemporary political imagery. Black Mountain poets, the Beats, minimalists like John Cage, the wordless Four Horsemen, Tom Waits, and others capture aspects of poets as troubadours.

Poetry in Motion is a documentary movie featuring Tom Waits and directed by Ron Mann.

Poetry in Motion is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Poetry in Motion on Amazon Video and Apple TV.