Poets & Writers Theater

Every day we share a new clip of interest to creative writers—author readings, book trailers, publishing panels, craft talks, and more. So grab some popcorn, filter the theater tags by keyword or genre, and explore our sizable archive of literary videos.

Alter Esselin

The Making of a Yiddish Carpenter-Poet: Alter Esselin's Early Years

The Making of a Yiddish Carpenter-Poet: Alter Esselin's Early Years

"Words are the heart of humanity and I live with that in mind." Joe Esselin, son of Yiddish poet Alter Esselin, tells the story of his father's journey to America in the early 1900s. Living through poverty, finding work as a carpenter, and cherishing memories of his homeland all became inspirations for his poetry.

Tags: interview | Alter Esselin | Joe Esselin | Poetry

Poets & Writers Theater

Alter Esselin

The Making of a Yiddish Carpenter-Poet: Alter Esselin's Early Years

The Making of a Yiddish Carpenter-Poet: Alter Esselin's Early Years