Poets have a special claim on April. T.S. Eliot called it the cruelest month, but April is also National Poetry Month. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, writing poetry for the masses. Also, how poems can inspire the corporate world. And Ted Hughes resurrects his dead wife, Sylvia Plath.

Susan Van Dyne chairs the women's studies program at Smith College and is a Sylvia Plath scholar. She talks with Judith Strasser about Birthday Letters, a book of poems by English Poet Laureate Ted Hughes in which he deals publicly for the first time with his relationship with his late wife, Sylvia Plath. Van Dyne says it's clear Hughes is telling his own side of the story and that Plath's craftsmanship is evident in her work. Also, Blake Morrison, a poet, critic, and staff writer for The Independent, tells Judith Strasser that he thinks Ted Hughes is teated unfairly by many American literati, and that the poems in "Birthday Letters" are plainly heartfelt.

David Lehman is founding editor of the Best American Poetry series. He tells Steve Paulson that poetry is flourishing, and constantly changes to keep up with the times. Also, Andrew Carroll is Director of the American Poetry and Literacy Project. He tells Jim Fleming about his master plan to drive a Ryder truck across the country giving away a million books of poetry. He says people may think it a little strange at first to be handed a book of petry while waiting in line at the car inspection station, but then they really like the idea!

Poet David Whyte tells Steve Paulson about the poetry workshops he organizes for businesses. He says poetry is about telling the truth, and teaches employees new communications skills; and that his workshops deal with the fierceness of people's experience and feelings.

Distribution dates:

• week of 03/29/98 - hour 3