Illustrated image of a mythical pink bird against a yellow background, moving forward while reaching back to grab its egg above its curved back.
Illustrated image of a mythical pink bird against a yellow background, moving forward while reaching back to grab its egg above its curved back.

Going back Going back

in order to move forward, in a celebration of poetry.

Monday Poets poetry readings

On select Mondays until April 21, 2025, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Literature Department celebrates the 30th anniversary of their Monday Poets poetry reading series with the theme Sankofa, a Twi word from the Akan tribe of Ghana loosely translated as, that to move forward, one must “go back and get it”.

The Literature Department’s Monday Poets series is one of the longest-running programs for adults at the Free Library. Each event will be hosted by a different library in Philadelphia, presenting a past Monday poet and introducing a new one.

”Monday Poets exists to inspire and connect poets and community members across the city of Philadelphia.”

– The Free Library of Philadelphia, Literature Department

About Monday Poets

Former Literature Department librarians Michele Gendron and Michele Belluomini began Monday Poets in 1994 to support local published poets. Over the years local, national and international poets have read and engaged with community members in person. During the peak of the COVID-19 emergency, the series continued online. Songs inspired by poems have been written and performed, and the Literature Department’s American poetry section is full of works by past Monday Poets and local writers in their orbit. Monday Poets is an important part of the culture of the Literature Department and the programming history at the Free Library.

Illustrated image of a mythical pink bird against a yellow background, moving forward while reaching back to grab its egg above its curved back.

(Photo credits: The Free Library of Philadelphia, Literature Department.)

 

Event details

Hosted by: The Free Library of Philadelphia, Literature Department 

Type of event: poetry reading series

Schedule (including poet bios):

Watch past recordings: Watch the videos here.

Monday Poets book list: See the book list here.

Cost: Free

Contact Details: Free Library of Philadelphia, Literature Department, Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, 2nd Floor, Pepper Hall (Room 207), Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA; (215) 686-5402, literature@freelibrary.org, freelibrary.org/locations/departments/literature-department

 

Content warning: For adults 18+.

Accessibility: Please refer to the individual library venues.