“Watching TV, playing computer games, surfing the Net – popular American pastimes. Along with poetry. Poetry?

Yes, poetry, that most rarefied of literary endeavors, is hot – hotter than ever, in fact – especially among young people.

Poetry readings, poetry slams, and spoken-word performances attract sellout crowds in clubs and auditoriums locally and across the country.

Poetry anthologies and audio collections are selling briskly. And the weekly HBO program Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry is entering its fifth season.” (philly.com [requires free registration])