The Friends & Foundation of Albany Public Library celebrates the life and memory of beloved poet, Lyn Lifshin.
On Saturday, October 3rd at 11am, there will be a Celebration of Life for esteemed poet and venerable community member Lyn Lifshin.
The meeting will take place over Zoom.
If you are interested in attending, the following link will take you to the meeting. Note: This link and meeting room will not work until 10:30am on October 3rd.
Meeting ID: 914 5984 5569
Passcode: 022621
Friends of Lyn who would like to share a remembrance should contact Al Jordan or send an email message to Lyn@LynLifshin.com.
Donations in remembrance of Lyn may be sent to the Friends & Foundation of Albany Public Library. Please write that your gift is a tribute to Lyn Lifshin.
About Lyn Lifshin
Lyn Lifshin, a 2019 Literary Legends Honoree, was a prolific poet with over 130 published works. Originally from Vermont, she moved to Schenectady in the 1970’s and spent much of her time in the Albany area. A mainstay of the Capital Region poetry community who nourished the craft in so many others, Lyn taught creative writing workshops at her home in Niskayuna and at local universities and libraries.
However, she wasn’t just a local legend: Commonly referred to as “Queen of the Small Press,” Lifshin was published in practically every small press journal in the 20th century, as well as mainstream magazines like Rolling Stone. She toured around the country, giving more than 700 readings at places like Dartmouth and Cornell University. Her works have been praised by the likes of Robert Frost, and she won the Jack Kerouac Award for her book Kiss the Skin Off. Beyond her clear literary prowess, she was known to be a kind, engaging woman who wasn’t afraid to speak on issues of war, sexuality, and women’s role in society. In a testament to Lifshin’s indelible impact as a poet, she was the subject of a 1987 documentary film titled Lyn Lifshin: Not Made of Glass. This film, produced by Mary Ann Lynch, consists of readings of Lifshin’s poems interspersed with her own and others’ observations about her life and work. [FFAPL screened the film at Opalka Gallery in 2019.]
In her essay, “So You Think I Wrote About You: How I Write Poetry,” she notes that, for her, “poetry makes one so much aware of, increases sensual appreciation, helps one discover the magical in the ordinary, gives one power, a way to shape, transform, rediscover, catch and hold, like with dance, a way to feel alive, connected.” There is no doubt that this is exactly what Lyn’s poetry has done for so many in our community. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of the many people she impacted here.
If you would like to read more, check out Lyn’s autobiographical essay on our website, or visit her website to read more of her work.
