The Poetics of Caregiving & Other Upcoming Events

Thank you to everyone who attended my events or invited me to give readings in the past month or so. It has been a flurry of activity, and I met many wonderful people as I have traveled from Washington to Pennsylvania to Massachusetts and all over New Jersey! But I must confess I am happy to be home in Jersey City for a spell, enjoying the peacefulness of my spring garden, finishing up my semester's grading, and logging onto Zoom for my next event, which of course you are invited to!

The Poetics of Caregiving: A Snapdragon Live Event

Please join me on Facebook this Wednesday at 7pm EST for a live poetry reading hosted by one of my favorite literary journals, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art and Healing.

My friends Jennifer R. Edwards and Lopamudra Basu and I will share poetry on the theme of caregiving, exploring the myriad ways that giving care operates in our lives and in our work.

The Poetics of Caregiving

Wednesday, May 17

7:00-8:00pm EST

Join us here: Facebook Live

Featured Poet at WAYE: A Poetry Reading Series

When I said I'm looking forward to staying closer to home in May, I wasn't kidding--this next event is literally around the corner from my house in Jersey City Heights! Please join me for on May 31 when I will be reading at WAYE. The evening also includes a Poetry Open Mic, so bring your work and arrive early to claim a spot at the mic! And, local friends, mark your calendars because WAYE happens every month, each time with a different featured poet.

WAYE: Poetry Reading and Open Mic

Wednesday, May 31

8:00-10:00pm

Sure Things Shop and Creative Studio

561 Palisade Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07307

Healing Voices: Caregiver Stories on Stage

I'm honored that my poetry is to be included in the 7th Annual Healing Voices, a special JC Fridays event at Art House Productions in which several writers' work on caregiving and healthcare will be brought to life on the stage, led by director Heather Wahl with a cast of professional actors.

7th Annual Healing Voices: Caregiver Stories on Stage

Friday, June 2

7:00-8:30pm

Art House Productions

345 Marin Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Leader, Laureate and Long COVID: The Baroness Podcast

With The Baroness host, Brooke Mailhiot

My interview with Brooke Mailhiot on The Baroness Podcast out of Rowan College of Burlington County. Tune into to hear about hear about my writing journey--from letter writing through cancer in my early twenties, to writing poetry through illness--as I have turned again and again to words and language as a tool for surviving and processing illness.

You can listen here to Episode 14: Leader, Laureate and Long COVID

Writers@Drew: A Return to My Alma Mater

April 18 Reading at Drew University

It was a delight and an honor to give a poetry reading at Drew University during National Poetry Month. It seemed fitting to begin the event, which was held in historic Mead Hall and overlooked the porch where I graduated 31 years ago, with my poem "Commencement."And it was an opportunity to express my gratitude for the compassion I received from faculty and administrators so long ago when my final semester there was upended by cancer.

The reading and Q&A are covered here.

I am available for readings, speaking engagements, and poetry workshops. Please contact me through my website if interested.

Flashpoint: A New Poem

Before I sign off, I share a poem about spring's deceptions and tumult that was published in the May 2023 issue of Wild Roof Journal.

Take care my friends, and I hope to see you soon,

Ann