COVER STORY
For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events
Poetry, indoors and out As the library’s first poet-in-residence, Dara-Lyn Shrager’s programs will make poetry accessible to everyone everywhere By AMY HIESTAND Connections Staff Writer
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rom 2005 to 2006, Dara-Lyn Shrager wrote her master’s thesis in what was then the new Sands Library building. “I would sign up for one of the Study Rooms, haul my MacBook computer, notebooks, books of poetry and good luck charms to the library and write,” she remembers. “It was one of the happiest periods of my life.” After earning her master’s from Bennington College, Shrager published the chapbook “The Boy From Egypt,” saw her work appear in many journals, became the cofounder and editor of Radar Poetry and recently released “Whiskey, X-Ray, Yankee,” a collection of her poems. This fall, she will be the library’s first poet-in-residence. As part of the residency, which she sees “as a chance to demonstrate my gratitude,” Shrager will give readings, lead poetry-writing workshops and attend off-site events, including the dedication of a new poem along the Scott and Hella McVay Poetry Trail at D&R Greenway. Shrager felt that it was important that the fall poetry calendar be inclusive of all ages and all levels of writing experience. “Everyone should feel welcome to attend a class or event,” she said. “Poetry is so much more interesting when new voices blend with more seasoned voices. What I love most about poetry is that, when it’s authentic, it works some sort of magic. My goal, this fall, is to open that experience to as many people as possible.”
POET-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS
To celebrate Dara-Lyn Shrager’s residency, the library has a variety of poetry, outdoor and film events, including special Princeton Environmental Film Festival screenings, exploring the power of words and nature. Highlights are listed here. For a full listing of all events, please visit princetonlibrary.org/events. Poetry and Visual Art: A Perfect Pair Sept. 20 through Dec. 1 The library, with support from The Arts Council of Princeton, presents a curated exhibition of paired poems and artwork. The exhibition demonstrates how the image and the written word can be in conversation with each other. Drawings by South Korean artist Mi Ju. Poems by John Clare, Rita Dove, Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake), and Dara-Lyn Shrager. Technology Center
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Art Talk: Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura with Dara-Lyn Shrager Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Artist Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura, who creates portraits out of the important documents of her subjects’ lives, discusses “Out of Character,” the exhibit of her works on view on the library’s second floor. Dara-Lyn Shrager will discuss the works on display in the technology center and how she pairs poetry with art in her online journal Radar Poetry. Newsroom Co-sponsored by the library and the Arts Council of Princeton.
New Poem Dedication Saturday, Sept. 29, 1:30 p.m. The library, Room to Read and Dara-Lyn Shrager will take part as the D&R Greenway dedicates a newly installed poem on the Scott and Hella McVay Poetry Trail. Gather in the barn at 1:30 p.m. before setting off on a short hike to the location on the trail where the new poem will be unveiled and read. Reception on the terrace to follow. D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place Poetry Walk for Young Voices Thursday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m. Dara-Lyn Shrager will lead this program that begins by looking at the poems and illustrations in “The Lost Words” by Robert MacFarland and Jackie Morris. Participants will learn about instances where nature words disappeared from dictionaries, then will walk the D&R Greenway Poetry Trail. During the walk, words and phrases that connect to nature will be noted. Finally, the collected words will be made into poems and artwork will be created to accompany them. D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place
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