Poetry at the Augusta County Library

Edited by Chris Graham
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April is National Poetry Month, and Augusta County Library in Fishersville is ready with several events and activities.

“In Their Own Words” will take place at noon on Friday, April 9. The public is invited to bring lunch and listen to two library staff members. Mary Binda, known for her puppet shows and work with the children’s department, is a singer/songwriter. Carter Douglass, who does public relations and displays for the library, will read her poems.

Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m., is a chance to hear poetry from South Africa. Dr. Stanley Galloway, associate professor of English at Bridgewater College, will read the works of current poets in South Africa. In 2008, he organized the conference, “Poetics of Conflict and Reconciliation.” Speakers came from around the world to discuss the impact of poetry in times of conflict. Dr. Galloway is also an expert on the literature of Tarzan.

Throughout the month of April, library patrons may tie poems, favorite poems or poems they have written, on the “poetree.” This year’s tree is on loan from Milmont Greenhouses in Stuarts Draft.

The library is also participating in the “Poem in Your Pocket” program. Nationally, Poem in Your Pocket Day is April 29, but the library will encourage patrons to put poems in their pockets all month. People keep a poem they love handy, either to read for themselves or to share with someone else. The library has a selection of poems printed on pocket-sized paper.