Tracy K. Smith was the 22nd U.S. Poet Laureate. During her time as Poet Laureate, she traveled across America hosting conversations about poetry in rural communities. She edited the anthology “American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time” (Graywolf/Library of Congress) during her laureateship and launched the American Public Media podcast “The Slowdown.” She is the author of four books of poetry: “Life on Mars,” winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; and the award winning collections "Duende," "The Body's Question" and “Wade in the Water: Poems” (Graywolf). Smith’s memoir, "Ordinary Light," was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in nonfiction. Her most recent project is the original libretto for an evening-length work of opera, “Castor and Patience.” Rooted in a conflict over historically black-owned land, the work is a collaboration with composer Gregory Spears. It was scheduled to premiere in July 2020 in Cincinnati. It will now premier in 2021.
Watch Video