Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season

Sankofa Bird
This mythical bird moves forward while reaching back to grab its egg – representing the theme of sankofa.

The Literature Department's Monday Poets program exists to inspire and connect poets and community members across the city of Philadelphia.

This year's theme is Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah), a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana which loosely implies that to move forward, one must "go back and get it."

In the spirit of Sankofa, we will be celebrating at each event a past Monday Poet and introducing a new one. Each month from September 2024 to April 2025 a new Sankofa pair will read at a Free Library location.

Collage of past Monday Poets speakers

Past Monday Poet Events

The Literature Department has commissioned musicians to respond to poetry and other holdings of our collection. To listen to or see past performances visit our Literature Department Channel on Archive.org

Watch Past Recordings

View past Monday Poets readings on our Free Library YouTube channel. View the full playlist on YouTube

Upcoming Events

Nov 18
Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season: M. Nzadi Keita and Mabel Lee
Monday, November 18, 5:30 P.M.
Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library
Dec 16
Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season: Jeffrey Ethan Lee and Cydney Brown
Monday, December 16, 5:30 P.M.
Northeast Regional Library
Jan 27
Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season: Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela and Andrea Walls
Monday, January 27, 4:00 P.M.
Widener Library
Feb 24
Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season: Trapeta B. Mayson and 王潇/Evan Wang
Monday, February 24, 5:30 P.M.
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
View All Events