Poet Richard Blanco returns to Boston Public Radio for an episode of the “Village Voice,” to celebrate poet January Gill O’Neil’s latest collection Glitter Road, and to retroactively honor Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. 

O’Neil is a professor at Salem State University and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival. Her latest collection reflects on “Marriage, loss, and a new relationship, with the backdrop of a Mississippi season. She explores the legacy of Emmitt Till and how his legacy is braided with hers; how race blights us all.” Said Blanco.

He begins with a poem of empowerment, “WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?” 

“Poetry is everywhere, you just have to look for it,” said Blanco when referring to Tina Turner’s song lyric as the poem’s title. He goes on to read “AFTER DAUNTE WRIGHT’S MURDER, I TEACH A POETRY CLASS TO HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOLERS ON ZOOM” and “BLACK WOMEN.” 

Tune in to enjoy the poems as they are read and discussed.  

“WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT”