Readings by and a conversation between Yusef Komunyakaa and MacArthur Fellow and poet Terrance Hayes in celebration of "Dear Yusef: Essays, Letters, and Poems, for and about One Mr. Komunyakaa."
Please join us for a reception beginning at 5:30pm to celebrate the launch of this anthology dedicated to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa. Introductions by Princeton Arts Fellow and poet Nicole Sealey and award-winning poet John Murillo, editors of the anthology. Readings and conversation begin at 6:00pm; Book signing to follow.
About the Speakers:
Yusef Komunyakaa’s numerous books of poems include "Thieves of Paradise," a finalist for the National Book Critics Award; "Neon Vernacular," for which he received the Pulitzer Prize; and "I Apologize for the Eyes in My Head," winner of the San Francisco Poetry Center Award. Komunyakaa’s prose is collected in "Blue Notes: Essays, Interviews & Commentaries." His many honors include the William Faulkner Prize, the Hanes Poetry Prize, and fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Terrance Hayes is the author of "American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin," winner of the 2019 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and "Lighthead," winner of the 2010 National Book Award. His other poetry collections include "So to Speak," "How to Be Drawn," and "Muscular Music." His honors include a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a 2014 MacArthur Fellowship. Hayes is a professor of creative writing at New York University.
This event is cosponsored by the library, The Lewis Center for the Arts and Labyrinth Books.
Presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
