Seattle Arts & Lectures' annual Poetry Series features readings, on-stage interviews, and book signings by four major poets. Established in 2000, SAL’s annual Poetry Series has become one of Seattle’s most important and highly anticipated literary programs. Poetry is an essential literary form, but poets often receive less attention than prose writers. In creating the series, SAL recognized that, as a literary organization, it had a responsibility to ensure that this great art form thrived in our community. The series is presented in collaboration with ACT Theatre and Open Books: A Poem Emporium, one of only two poetry-only bookstores in the United States.

The 2004 Poetry Series featured:

Ellen Bryant Voigt - Monday, February 23, 2004

The author of six volumes of poetry, Ellen Bryant Voigt's work includes Shadows of Heaven (2002), a finalist for the National Book Award, Kyrie (1995), Two Trees (1992), and The Forces of Plenty (1983).

Paul Muldoon - Monday, March 15, 2004

Born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Paul Muldoon is a prolific poet whose volumes of poetry include the Pulitzer Prize–winning Moy Sand and Gravel (2003), Hay (1998), and Madoc: A Mystery (1991).

Charles Wright - Tuesday, March 30, 2004

A Fullbright scholar, Guggenheim fellow, and recipeint of numerous other awards, Charles Wright has written fourteen books of poetry, including Black Zodiac (1997), which won the Pulitzer Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Carol Muske-Dukes - Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Carol Muske-Dukes has written Sparrow (2003), a National Book Award nominee, Married to the Icepick Killer (2002), An Octave Above Thunder (1997), Red Trousseau (1993), as well as several other books of poetry, fiction, and essays.