Americans choose the road not taken

The idea of the United States as a nation of poetry lovers may not fit the European stereotypes of a gun-toting, execution-obsessed land of couch potatoes. All the same, it turns out to be true. Poetry is alive and well and living in America.

Two years ago, America's poet laureate launched a campaign to discover the nation's favourite poem. It was an act of faith rather than logic, Robert Pinsky said at the time. But Mr Pinsky's appeal hit the spot. Now, more than 18,000 written, videotaped and recorded suggestions later, he has been overwhelmed by the response.