Poem 'Night' by Carl Phillips

Carl Phillips ’81, professor of English and of African and African American Studies at Washington University, delivers his Phi Beta Kappa poem, titled "Night," at the 218th Literary Exercises on Tuesday morning...

Carl Phillips ’81, professor of English and of African and African American Studies at Washington University, delivers his Phi Beta Kappa poem, titled "Night," at the 218th Literary Exercises on Tuesday morning.

Text copyright (c) 2008 Carl Phillips

Listen to the live audio recording.

Most popular

All That’s Unseen charts the Harvard graduate’s uneasy journey from Appalachia to Cambridge and back.  

Singer Elisa Smith’s whiskey-soaked voice and subversive feminism is part of the genre’s urban shift.

Before a data center is built, Francesca Dominici and Le Xie aim to predict costs to the grid, the air, and the neighbors next door.

House - Email

Explore More From Current Issue

A vibrant group of dancers in colorful outfits poses on a stage with shiny decorations.

Arts & Culture

The Harvard Arts Medalist wants his smash-hit Cats revival to reach “as many young queer people” as possible.

Colorful abstract design resembling an octopus with intricate swirls and patterns.

Research

Growing liver implants, mapping the sense of smell, and journalism at risk

Star-filled night sky with the Milky Way arching over a rocky silhouette.

Science

There’s a growing movement to curb light pollution. It starts on your front porch.