Poetry

In honor of National Poetry Month in 2025, SAPL hosted the following events:

San Antonio:  Living, Loving, Writing

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 6:00 – 7:30 PM at Great Northwest Library

San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega shared how he became interested in poetry, what a poet laureate is, and what it entails. Participants had the opportunity to compose a piece pertaining to their experience and relationship with San Antonio. A book sale and a signing followed.

Poetry Circle

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Westfall Library

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 6:00 – 7:30 PM at Cody Library

Participants had an opportunity to share their poetry with others. 

Typewriter Type-In

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Igo Library

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 11:00 – 2:00 PM at Mission Library

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Semmes Library

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 11:00 – 2:00 PM at Landa Library

Austin Typewriter, Ink. (ATI), of Austin, hosted a "Type-in."  ATI brought some vintage typewriters for attendees to sit down and manually type out a poem, a few thoughts, or perhaps a letter to a loved one, providing a nostalgic throw-back experience.

Open Mic Poetry

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 6:00 – 7:00 PM at Central Library's LCRC

Patrons of all ages will had an opportunity to read their own works and share their words with fellow poets. 

Wyrdd Writers

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 11:00 – 1:00 PM at Central Library's LCRC

Members of this poetry group read their poetry at this event.  Readers included: Lisha García, Jen Yañez- Alaníz, Rita Ortiz (La Golondrina), Carmen Calatayud, Sarah Colby, Kathleen Hudson, Alejandra Sanchez Alanis, Jasmina Wellinghoff, Violeta Garza, Etain Scott, Marla Dial, Caryn Wideman, and Jean Hackett.

Writing Ekphrastic Poetry for Older Adults

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 3:00 – 5:00 PM at Central Library

Ekphrasis is a Greek word meaning “description” and is used for the art of vividly describing real or imagined works of art. Ekphrastic poetry is verse vividly describing a work of art and its impact on the writer. Participants learned how to write Ekphrastic Poetry using the works of art at Central.    

Sounds of Shakespeare: Music from the Middle Ages to the Early Baroque

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Central Library's Auditorium

Beginning with an early round proclaiming the Summer by John of Fornsette (born 1228), "Sumer is icumen in". The event ended with guitar music by a Spanish composer, Gaspar Sanz (born 1640), Los Canarios. Between those pieces, participants heard several choice works by John Dowland, including a beautiful lament, and dance music. There were also variations on the ancient Burgundian folk melody, L'homme armé, Jon Come Kisse Me Now, and other tunes, like popular madrigals arranged for recorders on the program. 

In honor of National Poetry Month in 2024, SAPL hosted the following events:

Wyrdd Writers:  Living in Interesting Times

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024, 11:00 – 1:00 PM at Central Library's LCRC

The writers presented an afternoon reading about the wonders and wondering why's of life during these interesting times.  Special musical guest:  Rita Lopez Ortiz of the Velvet Hues, also known as "La Golondrina".  

San Antonio Poets Association

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 PM at Tobin Library

The San Antonio Poets Association, which meets monthly, discussed all stages of development in the craft of poetry writing. 

Blackout Poetry at McCreless

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024, 6:00 - 7:00 PM at McCreless Library

Visitors got to create poetic pieces from existing works.  

Poetry Circle

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024, 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Westfall Library

Attendees brought their poems to read to the group.

Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday with Music

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024, 1:00 - 2:30 PM at Central Library's Auditorium

The San Antonio Recorder Society played Canzona Septimi Toni (written for St. Mark's Basilica) by Giovanni Gabrieli and other works from the time of Shakespeare.  

Poetry Open Mic

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024, 10:30 - 12:30 PM at Central Library's LCRC

Attendees brought their poems to read to the group.

Episode 24-01: Edward and Raquel (San Antonio Public Library) sit down with Dr. Reggie Scott Young and special guests: Natalia Treviño and Octavio Quintanilla to talk about the origins and impact of National Poetry Month; as well as how poetry became a part of their lives; and how they came to teach, write, and present poetry.

https://soundcloud.com/saplpodcast/national-poetry-month?si=bd9f8f26eba342cb8e888769702320d0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing