News Summary
Poet Barbara Hamby will present her poetry collection titled ‘Burn’ on October 7 at The Bark in Tallahassee. The reading is part of Florida State University’s Jerome Stern Reading Series. Known for her vivid imagery, Hamby will discuss odes and share personal experiences. The upcoming event promises to engage audiences with themes of art and personal anecdotes, enriching the literary scene in Tallahassee. Admission is free, with more details available on her website.
TALLAHASSEE – Poet Barbara Hamby will read from her new poetry collection titled “Burn” on Tuesday, October 7, at 8 p.m. The event will take place at The Bark, located at 507 All Saints Street. This reading is part of the Florida State University’s Jerome Stern Reading Series. The collection includes 29 poems and officially hits bookstore shelves this month.
Hamby’s writing style is known for its thrilling imagery and imaginative flair. She emphasizes that listeners can expect an experience filled with anticipation, curiosity, exhilaration, and some puzzlement during her readings. The poems featured in “Burn” are primarily odes, which have been a source of fascination throughout her literary career. As a Distinguished University Scholar in FSU’s English department, she often draws on her personal experiences, diverse topics, and travels with her husband, fellow poet David Kirby, to enrich her discussions about her work.
In her upcoming reading, Hamby plans to incorporate her teaching experiences and various themes such as the history of the ode, the Harlem Renaissance, and the influence of art and food into her discussion. She also shares anecdotes about her cats, Patsy and Rollo, and reflects on moments from her life that impacted her understanding of fun—often noting that enjoyment plays a vital role in her writing process.
Hamby is currently working on a book of essays focusing on the history of the ode. This book includes her discovery of Enheduanna, the first woman to sign her name to a written piece, while conducting research. Enheduanna is known for works like “Exaltation of Inanna” and “Sumerian Temple Hymns”. Hamby’s translations aim to contemporize and enliven these ancient writings, paralleling her themes of beauty and horror found in “Burn”.
The vibrant language and vivid imagery in “Burn” offer unique interpretations of mythological figures such as Zeus and Hades. The collection’s cover art, titled “Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine,” is painted by Stuart Riordan, who has previously contributed artwork to five of Hamby’s books. In addition to her poetry, she has several literary projects in progress, including her next poetry book, a novel, and the essays on the ode. A novella titled “At the Mamba Room”, which pays tribute to Tallahassee’s former tiki bar, Waterworks, will be released in 2027.
Hamby expresses a preference for multitasking on various projects to maintain her creativity and focus. In addition to her reading at The Bark, she has upcoming appearances scheduled for November 13 at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, with David Kirby, as well as at the Miami Book Fair from November 21-24, and December 4 at Midtown Reader in Tallahassee.
Admission to the reading at The Bark is free. For further details, interested individuals can visit barbarahamby.com.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Barbara Hamby Lights Up the Ode in Burn
- Wikipedia: Ode
- The New Yorker: Ode on Luck
- Google Search: Barbara Hamby
- The New Yorker Media: Artwork
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harlem Renaissance
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
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