Roses are red, violets are blue, if you’re into poetry, this event could be for you. The Des Moines National Poetry Festival is holding its annual Poetry in the Park reading tomorrow (Sunday) in the capitol city. Festival board member Susan Voss says readings will be presented by representatives of several Iowa fine arts and educational groups. It’s a way to bring all of the organizations together and proclaim support for the arts. Poetry readers will include various Iowa dancers, musicians, actors, librarians and the director of the Science Center of Iowa. Voss says everyone defines poetry a little differently and enjoys various styles, so the audience at tomorrow’s event will hear a range of work that will highlight the diversity and breadth of contemporary poetry. Voss says this event is a sort of warm-up for the National Poetry Festival’s big event in April. That poetry festival will include readings from both the current and just-past U.S. Poet Laureates. The current office holder is Ames native Ted Kooser. Tomorrow’s festival begins at 1:30 PM at the Des Moines Art Center.
