Answers to Go

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

625 E. HOPKINS ST.

512-393-8200

Dear Readers,

April is National Poetry Month. The first week of April is also National Library Week. We have many things going on in the library to celebrate these occasions (listed at the end) but first I will share a poem by one of our library’s notable staff members, E. D. (Emily) Watson. E. D. is a talented poet who is instrumental, not only to the library, but to the San Marcos poetry community. On June 18, 2021, for the dedication of the newly opened library, E. D. read a poem she wrote. It brought many to tears and gave many chills. I thank her for allowing us to share it with you.

I DREAM A WORLD

after Langston Hughes

I dream a world like a library

with plenty of chairs and tall windows

to let in light, a world where anyone is welcome no matter how they arrive: crawl or run

shuffle roll limp

strut or swagger.

I dream a world where everyone belongs

and everyone has room, where all of us

can search for truth, where our stories matter and are bound together, held side by side by side where every book is checked out at least once or twice

and each of us is seen, our names remembered.

I dream a world where learning is our highest duty —

not only languages and science, but knowledge of ourselves: how strong our spines how irrelevant our covers. How easily we tear.

I dream a world where children sing

and grandfathers drowse above the news

a world like a library like an ark

to save us and carry us to another shore

where we can come together for some common work

or sit quietly in peace.

I dream a world where everything is shared

where what’s been taken is returned

where each of us — black white brown

red or blue, running for office or on parole

or dancing in a princess gown — where everyone, everyone finds what they are looking for

and accomplishes what they came to do

where there is always more than one answer and those answers can be found.

E. D. Watson

The library sponsors, prints and distributes a quarterly poetry publication called, “When the River Speaks.” It is available for anyone to come and pick up. If you are a poet and would like to submit a poem for consideration, email your art and words to submission2wtrs@gmail.com. If you have additional questions, contact librarian Deborah Carter at 512-393-8210.

Poetry and Library Events for April include:

Poetry/Word Collage today, April 3rd 1 – 3 p.m. Participants are invited to make a poetry/word collage. Participants will pull lines and words from provided materials and piece them together to create a poem. Supplies are provided, but you are welcome to bring special materials — perhaps a poem you've written — to incorporate into your collage. Registration is required. For ages 18 and

up. To register, call the library at 512-393-8200.

Yoga and Poetry, today April 3rd 3 – 5 p.m. Join poet and certified yoga teacher E. D. Watson in a combined yoga and personal writing practice designed to loosen the words in your body for greater access to creativity and self-expression. Bring a notebook and a yoga mat or towel. For ages 18 and up. Registration is required. To register, call the library at 512-393-8200.

Writers, Inc., has a program on Monday, April 11 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the library. Join our writer’s group for any kind of writing (poetry included) socializing, networking, and learning. For ages 18 and up. Registration is required. To register, call the library at 512-393- 8200.

National Poem in Your Pocket Day 2022 is April 29. Stop by the library to pick up a poem for your pocket! Here are a few suggestions for ways to share your pocket poem:

• Share your poem with your friends and family however you feel comfortable – just share it!

• Read a poem out loud from your porch, window, backyard, or outdoor space.

• Email the poem to your friends, family, neighbors, or local government leaders.

• Schedule a video chat and read a poem to your loved ones.

• Create a work of art with your poem and share it.

The library has hundreds of books of poetry for adults and children. Come by and let us share poetry with you!

Suzanne Sanders is the new columnist for the library. She is the Community Services Manager for the San Marcos Public Library and came from the Austin Public Library in 2015 after having served there as a librarian for over 20 years. She gratefully accepts your questions for this column.