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When My Brother Was an Aztec by Natalie Diaz

Indigenous Voices in Verse

Contemplating the Native American experience through poetry

Nothing quite compares to the poetic rendering of the experience of indigenous people. Tribal history, spirituality, internal grappling with identity, the juxtaposition of American and Native cultures and the responsibility and anguish of survival – all of these come together gorgeously in lyric form and give a holistic yet personal picture of Native American life.  

Bastards of the Reagan Era by Reginald Dwayne Betts

Poetic Perspectives on Prison

Lives and Literature Behind Bars

The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, making prison culture a topic of constant political and social relevance in our country. The subject of incarceration is also a compelling source of inspiration for many poets. The following recommended books are written by formerly incarcerated artists or writers inspired by the experience of prison.

Flowers for winner announcement

Congratulations to Haiku Contest Winners

Winners in child, teen and adult categories

To honor and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2019, Palisades Neighborhood Library encouraged children, teens and adults to write and submit Haiku writing for contest. These are the winners and the poetry selected as best. Child Category: James Shure and Margaret Rapawy   "I hit the baseball it made everything blossom even the people" by James Shure     "Judgmental strangers Your colorful modesty My cloaked friend"

Crushing

The Human Spirit

I am drawn to people's personal stories of triumph over adversity. I think often about the imagery and symbolism of the lotus plant. The lotus shoot has to grow through the mud of swamps and other still bodies of water. The unseen shoot struggles upward towards the light and when it pierces the surface, a beautiful flower unfurls. What these stories have in common is they explore the resiliency of human peoples despite the misfortunes that can happen in any person's life.

The Collected Poems of E. Ethelbert Miller

Washington's Got Talent

Books of Poetry by Local Writers

There is no question that Washington, D.C. is a political and cultural capital. The city also happens to be a hub for the written word, being the home of many writers and literary events and festivals.   In the spirit of celebrating the literary heritage of D.C., here is a list of books of poetry available at DC Public Library written by local authors.  

Can you Haiku

Poets at the Library

Children wrote their own haiku in celebration of National Poetry Month. Here are their submissions.   Reading is magic Adventure in one place The wonders at home ---Molly C. *** Trees crackle above Running with, past, through, the wind Heart racing, mind still --Callie S. *** Clouds fall to Earth Bejeweling leaves and petals Diamonds don't last   --Ngila S.

Can you haiku?

Can you Haiku?

Kids enter Tenley Library’s haiku contest

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Tenley-Friendship Library is hosting a haiku Contest for children. Haiku is a poetry form that consists of three lines with syllables arranged in a 5-7-5 pattern. Kids ages 5-12 years old, we welcome your submissions from April 1 through April 21. So that everyone can appreciate your creations, we will display your haiku in the Children’s room and on our web site. Five lucky poets and their poems will be chosen randomly to win a DC Public Library water bottle.  

Popular Spoken Words

National Poetry Month Appreciation

In recognition of National Poetry Month, we want to take the time to celebrate poets and their spoken word(s). Because there are so many different styles of literacy, here are some highlights, achievements and legacies of poets that encourage reading, writing and maybe even a voice to the unheard. Here is a suggested list of poems and books that you might enjoy. Check out our website for some fun activities during the month of April.  

The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

Books by Celebrity Poets

Where Us Weekly and Literature Meet

A constant flow of gossip from magazines, blogs, entertainment news, social media and tell-all books keeps anyone interested informed about the lives of celebrities. For those who want a peek at the innermost thoughts of their favorite stars, there’s a whole other medium to explore: the celebrity poetry book. Here are some book ideas for the reader obsessed with the rich and famous.  

Four African American 19th Century

The Females of February

Black History Month: Good Reads for Teens

February is here and before it flies by, take some time to intentionally open up a book by a black female author. Let this month be your reason to celebrate the countless narratives of African American women. Here are a variety of beautiful stories all written by black women.  

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