Gather in Poems 2023: Poets Read the Poets They Admire
Gather in Poems 2023
Leading Poets Read the Poets They Admire
[Poets.org/AI]
Some of today’s most distinguished poets and literary voices came together for Gather in Poems, a virtual reading presented by the Academy of American Poets. Each participant selected poems by poets whose voices continue to shape contemporary literature, creating a conversation across generations, languages, and traditions.
The special event features spirited readings by Elizabeth Acevedo, Kwame Dawes, Denice Frohman, Joy Harjo, Kimiko Hahn, John Keene, Dorianne Laux, Ricardo Maldonado, Naomi Shihab Nye, Oliver de la Paz, Yasmine Seale, Yvette Siegert, and Afaa Michael Weaver. Together, they present poems by Giannina Braschi, Ellen Bass, Lucille Clifton, Jane Hirshfield, Nâzim Hikmet, Joseph O. Legaspi, Juliet S. Kono, Max Early, Matthew Shenoda, Saskia Hamilton, César Vallejo, Walt Whitman, Dorothea Tanning, and others.
Gather in Poems 2023 opens with Academy of American Poets Executive Director Ricardo Maldonado reading Giannina Braschi’s “Behind the Word is Silence,” from Asalto al tiempo (Empire of Dreams), translated by Tess O’Dwyer. The complete program offers a remarkable opportunity to hear celebrated poets interpret the work of fellow poets whose writing has shaped the literary imagination.
Watch Gather in Poems 2024: A Virtual Celebration of Poetry
Featured Poets and Poems
- Elizabeth Acevedo reads “My Mama moved among the days,” “wishes for sons,” “cutting greens,” and “blessing the boats” by Lucille Clifton.
- Kwame Dawes reads “Traces” by Matthew Shenoda.
- Denice Frohman reads “Relax” by Ellen Bass.
- Joy Harjo reads “Deer’s Breath of Every Color” by Max Early.
- Kimiko Hahn reads “Silverswords” by Juliet S. Kono.
- John Keene reads “The Healing Improvisation of Hair” by Jay Wright.
- Dorianne Laux reads “Counting, This New Year’s Morning, What Powers Yet Remain To Me” by Jane Hirshfield.
- Ricardo Maldonado reads “Behind the Word is Silence” by Giannina Braschi, translated by Tess O’Dwyer.
- Naomi Shihab Nye reads “Zero” by Dorothea Tanning.
- Oliver de la Paz reads “Whom You Love” by Joseph O. Legaspi.
- Yasmine Seale reads “The Song in the Dream,” “Inside,” and “This Hour” by Saskia Hamilton.
- Yvette Siegert reads “Distant Footsteps” by César Vallejo (translated by Yvette Siegert) and “On Living” by Nâzim Hikmet (translated by Mutlu Konuk Blasing and Randy Blasing).
- Afaa Michael Weaver reads “A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest, and the Road Unknown” by Walt Whitman.
Click here to Poets.org to read more about the Gather in Poems 2023 Program.
