(WASHINGTON, DC) The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series presents the annual Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute at Folger Shakespeare Library on Monday, December 5 at 7:30pm. This year’s guest poet is Aracelis Girmay, who will read from her own work and from selections of Dickinson’s poetry. In language rich with detail, blinding with imagery, and worldly in breadth, Girmay, who shares a birthday with Emily Dickinson, brings her keen focus to this celebrated Folger tradition. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for students and may be purchased at the Folger box office, 202.544.7077, or online at www.folger.edu/poetry.
The Poetry Center at Smith College describes Aracelis Girmay as “a powerful, inventive poet, writer, and educator who is not afraid to take on any subject, … and who brings to her poems not only high seriousness and passion but a sustaining voice of hope.” Girmay’s multicultural heritage—she is of Eritrean, Puerto Rican, and African American descent—gives her a unique perspective which transcends ethnic boundaries.
Aracelis Girmay is the author of the collage-based picture book changing, changing. Her first book of poems, Teeth, was nominated for a Connecticut Book Award. Most recently, her poetry collection Kingdom Animalia was awarded the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award. She has served as the visiting writer in the MFA program at Queens College, and she is on the faculty of Drew University’s low-residency MFA program in Poetry. She is also an assistant professor of poetry at Hampshire College, where her office is in the Emily Dickinson Hall.
The reading is co-sponsored with the Poetry Society of America and includes the reading, a moderated conversation with Poetry Society of America Executive Director Alice Quinn, and a wine reception featuring black cake made from Dickinson’s own recipe.
DATE & TIME: Monday, December 5 at 7:30pm
LOCATION: Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC
TICKETS: $15 adults / $7.50 students; purchase at the Folger box office, 202.544.7077, or www.folger.edu/poetry.
METRO: Capitol South (blue/orange lines), 4 blocks; Union Station (red line), 7 blocks
PARKING: Street parking in neighborhood.
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