The May Room has hosted a variety of public poetry reading events since opening in September, three of which were presented by the Poetry Society of America, showcasing poets from diverse backgrounds through partner organizations including CantoMundo and Kundiman.
The last Poetry Society of America-produced event, Puerto Rico en mi corazón, celebrated the poetry collection of the same name published this year in response to Hurricane Maria and the storm’s profound effects on Puerto Rico and its people. Featuring works by 40 poets in both Spanish and English, Puerto Rico en mi corazón provides a human perspective on the disaster while its proceeds benefit hurricane relief efforts.
For the event, Puerto Rican poets Raquel Salas Rivera and Ricardo Alberto Maldonado, both co-editors of the eponymous collection, performed live readings of works of theirs included in the book, see below: