As April winds down, so does National Poetry Month. But poetry isn’t confined to just one month; its beauty and power to connect us is something we can enjoy all year long.
I want to take a moment to reflect on “Como Tú” (Like You) by Roque Antonio Dalton García. Dalton’s poem is a heartfelt reminder of our shared humanity and our collective struggles. Consider these lines:
I believe the world is beautiful
and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.
Creo que el mundo es bello,
que la poesía es como el pan, de todos.
Poetry shouldn’t be kept on a high shelf, out of reach; it should be as accessible and essential as the bread we share at our tables. His comparison isn’t just poetic—it’s a call to action, suggesting that just as everyone deserves access to food, so too should everyone have access to the power of poetry.
Libraries like ours embody this vision by making poetry and literature available to everyone. It’s a simple but powerful part of what the Albany Public Library does: making sure that the resources the library offers are accessible to as many people as possible.
To keep our connection with poetry alive, check out some of the poetry available at the Albany Public Library. Here’s a list to get you started:
- “Life on Mars” by Tracy K. Smith: This Pulitzer-winning collection explores vast questions about the universe, life, and humanity with lyrical grace.
- “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur: Kaur’s powerful poems about growth and healing invite readers on a journey of sorrow, self-discovery, and revitalization.
- “American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin” by Terrance Hayes: These sonnets tackle the complexities of identity and social justice in America today.
And there’s more poetry to come! Join us on Tuesday, May 28, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Washington Avenue Branch, as author Susan Oringel discusses and reads from her book, Carnevale. Her work navigates the poignant paths from grief back toward the light of living.
Here’s to finding beauty and connection in poetry year-round—because truly, poetry is for everyone.
