The Miami Book Hub has launched a monthly poetry edition, and its debut episode, Episode 41, brought together two of Miami-Dade County’s poets laureate. Host and columnist Miami’s Community Newspapers reported the conversation, produced in partnership with the publication.
Joining the host as co-host was Nicole Tallman, the county’s current Poet Laureate. The guest was Caridad Moro-Gronlier, who served as the county’s second Poet Laureate before Tallman. A longtime educator, Moro-Gronlier told the host that her father could not bring his copy of Lorca’s poetry when he left Cuba, but he carried the verses he had learned in school.
Much of the discussion centered on Moro-Gronlier’s Generation 305 project, which pairs younger and older residents to share their stories and turn those conversations into poems. According to the episode, one grandmother and grandson pairing learned new things about each other, and no phones were used. The discussion also covered ekphrastic poetry, the form that responds to a work of art. Moro-Gronlier’s collection, Through the Lens, draws on images and everyday culture, including a visit to Vizcaya.
The host encouraged viewers to try writing, saying that noticing something, asking a question or writing about someone important is a good place to start. Moro-Gronlier urged readers to use libraries, readings and workshops.
Episode 41 is available at TheMiamiBookHub.com. Resources for the county’s poetry programs are listed at MiamiDade.gov/poetry.
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