Inaugural Poem Not A Bestseller
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Inaugural Poem Not A Bestseller
The poem that millions watched Elizabeth Alexander read during Barack Obama’s inauguration isn’t a hot seller.
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NEW YORK (February 20, 2009)--Millions watched as Elizabeth Alexander read a poem last month at President Obama's inauguration, but so far, few have wanted to buy it.

Alexander's "Praise Song for the Day: A Poem for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration," has sold just 6,000 copies so far, according to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks about 75 percent of sales.

Graywolf Press published the poem Feb. 6 as a paperback with an announced first printing of 100,000 copies.

The inaugural reading by Alexander, a highly regarded poet, apparently lacked the spark of predecessor Maya Angelou, whose "On the Pulse of the Morning" - read at President Clinton's 1993 inaugural became a million-seller.

Alexander was just the fourth inaugural poet, following Robert Frost, Angelou and Miller Williams.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Sue Location: Waco on Feb 20, 2009 at 03:48 PM

Who would want to spend hard earned money on that or who would want it anyway.
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