Missouri's first poet laureate to speak Thursday at Joplin Public Library

(From Southern News Service)

Walter Bargen, Missouri’s first poet laureate, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Community Room at Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St.

Bargen, who received his bachelor of arts and master’s degrees in English education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, was named the state’s first poet laureate in 2008. He is the author of more than a dozen collections of poetry, and his poems, essays and stories have appeared in more than 300 publications.

He will read from his most recent poetry collection, “My Other Mother’s Red Mercedes.” Books will be available for purchase.

Co-sponsored by the Missouri Southern State University Department of English & Philosophy and the Joplin Public Library, Bargen’s appearance is presented as part of the university’s Saltzman Series of Visiting Writers.