Delmarva Today: 8-7-20
My guest is poet Luisa A. Igloria. Luisa is the recently appointed Poet Laureate of Virginia, an honor well deserved. She is also the author of 14 books of poetry and 4 chapbooks. Originally from Baguio City in the Philippines, Luisa now makes her home with her family in Virginia where she is Professor of Creative Writing and English at Old Dominion University. From 2009-2015, Luisa was also Director of the MFA Creative Writing Program . Luisa’s work has been published in numerous anthologies and journals in Canada, the UK, and Australia as well as the US. And finally, she is the winner of numerous poetry and literary prizes here in the US and the UK.
Luisa talks about what it means for a person of color to be selected Poet Laureate of Virginia. It’s an indication that poets of color are being recognized for their unique contributions and perspective.
Luisa also talks about poetry as witness and her experience growing up in the Philippines. In her reflection on what it means for us to care for one another she reads her poem “Ode to the Hand Wrapped Around the Achilles Heel.”
In addition to her 14 books and four chapbooks, Luisa also publishes online. You can read her work at www.vianegativa.us and on her website www.luisaegloria.com.
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