WAYNE — The Cary Memorial Library will present three Friday night poetry readings featuring six poets, beginning with Herb Coursen and Bob MacLaughlin on July 8.

Coursen lives in Brunswick where he taught Shakespeare for many years at Bowdoin College.  He is an ex-fighter pilot and was once a professional squash player.  He has had a long and distinguished career as a poet and has published a number of books of fiction as well. His most recent book of poems is “Blues in the Night.”

MacLaughlin has been a sports writer, magazine editor and advertising copywriter.  He lives on a lake in Waldoboro and recently published a remarkable collection of funny and poignant poems, “Faulty Wiring,” about his relationship with his father as he experiences Alzheimer’s disease.

The second reading will take place on July 15 and will feature Robert Farnsworth and Carolyn Gelland.

Farnsworth has taught writing and literature at Bates College for the past 20 years.  His poetry has appeared in magazines all over the United States, in Canada and the United Kingdom.  His most recent book, “Rumored Islands,” was published in 2010 by Harbor Mountain Press.

Gelland was married to the poet Kenneth Frost who moved to Maine after teaching for some years at Columbia University and the New School in New York City.  His book “Night Flight” was published in December 2010.  Ken passed away in February 2011.  Carolyn, who is a poet herself, will read from Ken’s work this evening.

The Cary Memorial Library is located at 17 Old Winthrop Road, just off Route 133. Programs are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 685-3612 or email jadelberg@cary-memorial.lib.me.us.

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