Tunnel Books, in St. Johnsbury, will host a book launch at Catamount Arts, April 25th, at 4pm, for “The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest and Witness,” edited by Sharon Darrow.
This free all-ages event, celebrating the release of a new poetry anthology by Rootstock Publishing, will take place upstairs in the Mason Hall at Catamount Arts, on Eastern Avenue. There will be music by Whistlepig Riot and readings from the book at Catamount Arts until 5:45. Then the event will migrate to Wandering Vine, on Railroad Street, where readings will resume at 6:00.

Edited by Sharon Darrow and including nearly ninety poets from across the United States and Canada, “The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest & Witness” is an urgent anthology of poems written in response to the troubles of our times. It is comprised of a variety of voices, from new writers to well-seasoned poets who are widely published and celebrated, all writing about a myriad of issues including immigration, detention, loss of voice, civil rights, climate change, rising fascism, global wars, genocide, abortion, LGBTQIA+ experiences and more.

“The Country in the Mirror” holds a mirror to our diversity, our freedom of expression, and our collective humanity to remind us of the liberties we have as Americans and to caution of their loss.

“The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest and Witness,” includes poetry from Chard deNiord, Beth Kanell, Judith Janoo, Tim Mayo, Jean-Blaise Bourque, Samantha Kolber, Katie Moritz, Steve Minking, Ron Lay-Sleeper, Arlene Distler, Amanda Harris, Sandy Edmonds, Sean Prentiss, Katherine Quimby, Tom Schmidt, Eva Zimet, Kelly Bennett, Cindy Faughnan, Alyx Young, Sarah B. Sullivan, Bianca Stone, Christine Petrillo, Sharon Darrow, Amanda West Lewis, and Tim Wynne-Jones. Copies of the book will be available for purchase from Tunnel Books.

PoemTown St. Johnsbury, now in its 11th year, is an annual celebration of National Poetry Month in April. The program is collaboration among Catamount Arts, Discover St. Johnsbury, and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and includes events for community members of all ages.

Learn more about PoemTown St. Johnsbury and the entire roster of local National Poetry Month events at www.catamountarts.org or by searching “PoemTown St. Johnsbury” online. Visit www.tunnelbooks.net to find more events hosted by Tunnel Books, including a BAD Poetry workshop with writer Jessie Rothwell, on Monday, April 27th. Learn more about “The Country in the Mirror” at www.rootstockpublishing.com.