Nobel Laureate T. S. Eliot was born in St. Louis, MO in 1888. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth, selections from his work were read and performed by nationally prominent literary poets during a month-long observance in St. Louis. This 22-minute documentary draws from the celebration, emphasizing performances of special readings where Eliot's words are heard "in different voices.".

Excerpts from two poems in particular receive special focus in this documentary. Set to the music of Beethoven's last Quartets (upon which Eliot's last, long poem was based), "The Last Salvages" demonstrates how Eliot bridges the gap between literature and music, between cinematic imagry and reverie. The melodic syllabus and rhythms of "The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock" spans past and present, poetry and ordinary conversation. Excerpts from many of Eliot's well-known poems structure the story and demonstrates how his poetry, like fine music, still touches people a century later.

In a humorous essays about Eliot, performed by Stanley Elkin, and interpretations from renowned critic Frank Kermode underscore the ways in which EliotÕs work continues to affect all of us.

The primary focus is a rhythmic return to contemporary voices reading Eliot's poetic language as it was meant and read aloud in interpretations that are easy to understand.