Paul McCartney to Read His Poetry

LONDON, UK (AP) - Sir Paul McCartney will read from his poetry next month as part of National Poetry Day celebrations.

The former Beatle will treat audiences to new material at the 21st Poetry Olympics on Oct. 4, organizer Michael Horovitz said Sunday. McCartney will be joined by Frieda Hughes, the daughter of the late poet laureate Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.

Last year, McCartney published "Blackbird Singing,'' an anthology of 48 poems and song lyrics covering his time with the Beatles and his solo career. The poems span McCartney's life, from early memories of Liverpool to the 1980 murder of John Lennon, to the loss of his wife Linda to breast cancer in 1998.
McCartney has already given readings in Liverpool, New York and Britain's Hay-on-Wye literary festival.

The Poetry Olympics began in 1980, and has since grown in popularity. Also appearing at this year's event, to be held at the Queen's Theater, will be Patience Agbabi, Inge Elsa Laird, Fran Landesman, Lemn Sissay and Tom Pickard.