In celebration of Earth Day and National Poetry Month, New Westminster Public Library is hosting a book launch on April 22.
Royal City Literary Arts Society and Silver Bow Publishing teamed up with New Westminster Public Library to organize the event, which will combine poetry reading, refreshments, a book raffle and an open mic session.
The reading will also include special guests Candice James, Elliott Slinn and Alan Hill, who have all been New West’s poets laureate.
Cynthia Sharp, poet and book author, will launch her newest book, Ordinary Light. She described it as a “resurgence of hope to appreciate and protect our beautiful planet.”
Ordinary Light is Sharp’s second full-length poetry collection, and, much like her first one, Rainforest in Russet, it focuses on celebrating the beauty of the West Coast and the urgency of environmental protection.
“I'm hoping to capture how peaceful it is to live in a part of the world that has so much raw nature," she said. "And then underneath that the importance of protecting it."
Sharp also noted the importance of hosting this event on Earth Day and celebrating it together.
“One of the things I really love about Earth Day is that every single person on the planet can take part in it. It’s nondenominational. It’s the moment that everyone on this planet can take to appreciate (Earth)."
Sharp hopes those who attend the event are inspired by her work.
“I would love if people came in and saw that poetry is magic. But it is not elitist, it doesn't have to be elitist. Poetry is for everyone.”
Royal City Literary Arts Society is also running a contest called "Write On!" for poetry, non-fiction and fiction pieces. The deadline for the submissions has been extended to Monday, May 1 at midnight. More information at Royal City Literary Arts Society's website.
Cynthia Sharp’s book launch
When: Saturday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: New Westminster Public Library (716 6th Ave., New Westminster, B.C.)
Cost: Free admission
