A trio of published poets living in three different states, Illinois, Indiana, and Georgia, will offer readings from their homes to yours in a virtual program presented by Friends of the Edgewater Library on Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The panel will share poetry from their latest works followed by a Q&A session moderated by author Jane Ward, Program Committee co-chair of the volunteer, nonprofit organization that supports the Edgewater Branch Library in Chicago. 

Ken Taylor is a Chicago resident, publisher of selva oscura press, and co-founder and contributing editor of Lute & Drum, an online journal of poetry and poetics. He’ll read selections from self-portrait as joseph cornell. Cornell is an American artist knows as the creator of surrealist shadow boxes featuring found objects. 

“Writing poetry is challenging and may not be as dependable a way to find connection or comfort! It's easy to forget that the poem is really in charge. Trying to stay out of the way of messing it up is what I feel I'm mostly doing,” Taylor said. “And then there's the reader or the listener who often completes the job by lifting what's been taken into a place that may not have been intended, but is no less real or wondrous. And what's better than that when you're stuck at home?"

J. Peter Moore is a literary critic, poet, and editor; he lives in Indiana and teaches at Purdue University. He’s written two poetry collections and will read from Zippers and Jeans. The title is from a song by the Memphis musician Harlan T. Bobo. Zippers and Jeans tells the story of a man who upon having his heart broken finds that he can commune with inanimate objects.

Maggie Zurawski is an award-winning poet, author of the novel, The Bruise, and associate professor of English and creative writing at the University of Georgia where she directs the creative writing program. She’ll read selections from her latest collection, (Distressed Properties).

To register for the program, please email us. If space is available, you’ll receive an email link to the Zoom meeting on Friday, May 15. This program will be recorded.