Poet laureate to launch book at Turner library

TURNER — On Sunday, April 12, Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair will make his third visit to the Turner Public Library. Long a favorite there for his approachable presentations and accessible poetry, McNair will launch his latest poetry collection, “The Lost Child, Ozark Poems.” His reading will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1 to allow time for conversation and refreshments.

His latest book represents a departure for McNair. Nationally recognized as a poet of New England places, he takes a new path, writing about his mother’s home-place in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. “My mother was always tight-lipped about her feelings, and I wanted to know her more deeply by exploring the hill country where she grew up during the Dust Bowl Period,” he says, adding, “There are poems about her, too, woven all through it.”

This is McNair’s final year as Maine State Poet Laureate. He has used his post to restore the connection between poetry and the people through several state-wide initiatives, including the popular Take Heart column, published in 30 Maine newspapers and magazines.

The Turner Public Library is located at 98 Matthews Way in Turner. For more information, please call 212 7872.