Author Talks, Stonewall50: Live Oak, with Moss: Walt Whitman's Secret Love Poems
A scholar and illustrator bring to light the secret love poems of Walt Whitman.
FEATURING
- Paolo Javier
- Karen Karbiener
- Brian Selznick
As he was turning forty, Walt Whitman composed a sequence of twelve poems and compiled them in a small handmade book he entitled Live Oak, With Moss—but never exactly published them. The verses describe an unhappy love affair with an unnamed man and are considered among the most adventurous and homoerotic work he ever wrote. Whitman pulled the twelve pieces apart in order to obliterate the narrative and rearranged them into other sections of "Calamus Lovers" section in Leaves of Grass. The original sequence was only restored by scholars in recent years, and has now been published with an essay by Whitman scholar Karen Karbiener and illustrated by Caldecott Award–winner Brian Selznick.
On the occasion of Whitman’s bicentennial, Karbiener and Selznick speak about the original collection and make the case for it as a source of inspiration and cause for celebration. They are joined in conversation by Queens-based poet, Paolo Javier.
Learn more about the Library's new exhibition Walt Whitman: America's Poet.
FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED
For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form one hour before the program.
PRESS
Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc.) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Sara Beth Joren at sarabethjoren@nypl.org. For all other inquiries, please contact publicprograms@nypl.org.
Love & Resistance: Stonewall 50
This event is part of a series of programs related to The New York Public Library's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a flash point in LGBTQ history. After the riots that took place at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969, the LGBTQ civil rights movement went from handfuls activists to thousands. Through a major exhibition, a series of programs, book recommendations, and more, we invite you to learn more about the emergence of the LGBTQ rights movement, as well as culture, issues, and activism today. Learn more now.
Sponsors
Major support of the Love & Resistance: Stonewall 50 exhibition and related programming is provided by The New York Community Trust, Hermes Mallea and Carey Maloney, and the TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank. Additional support is provided by Time Warner and the Magnus Hirschfeld Endowment Fund.
Support for The New York Public Library’s Exhibitions Program has been provided by Celeste Bartos, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos and Adam Bartos Exhibitions Fund, Jonathan Altman, and Miriam and Ira D. Wallach.
