The 17th annual POETS/SPEAK! is a celebration of National Poetry Month with readings by well-known and emerging poets, a local Poetry Out Loud winner, UMaine student poets, live jazz, and a panel on “Poetry Without Borders.” Poets/Speak! will also feature readings by our MHC Fellows Kim Crowley and Nick Rotter-Weller.
The panel will present the topic of how immigrants have contributed to the rich tapestry of poets and poetry in Maine and America. Area poets will read from their recent books. University of Maine student poets featured in the recent issue of “The Open Field” will also read, and books by participating poets will be on sale. The event is co-sponsored by the The University of Maine English Department and Bangor Public Library.
Former Bangor Public Library director Barbara McDade invited poet Kathleen Ellis to coordinate an annual poetry event for April, National Poetry Month. Kathleen Ellis facilitated the New England Foundation for the Humanities series, “After Frost: Poetry in New England,” for the library in 2001. Ellis created and has coordinated POETS/SPEAK! since 2002.
