The Talking Chair

Robbins Library in Arlington was the hub of the poetic universe this afternoon. The Talking Chair was unveiled with gracious ribbon-cutting ceremony enveloping the large crowd with shared creative joy.

The Talking Chair is the brain-child of Emily Calvin Bottis. For National Poetry Month this April, The Talking Chair will remain available in the fiction room for the entire expanded community. Poets of Arligton donated a poem to the project. Each poet read the poem and had it recorded. Now the poem is available in an audio-visual collection which can be experienced by sitting on the chair, listening to the author's narrative, and reading along from the printed collection.

Poet Graeme Garvie, a third grader at Thompson Elementary, listens to his recording of "My Tree."

Poets and poetry fans joined together to bring The Talking Chair to life.

The Talking Chair will be available to all people throughout the month of April.

Robbins Library, the Arlington Cultural Council, and the Mass Cultural Council supported the creation of The Talking Chair.

A diverse community of teachers, students, artists, thinkers, doers, makers, helpers, and poets combined their unique strengths to complete this project.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was celebrated by poets, families, friends, and fans.

Poet Achan Manning wrote and narrated "The Lost Man."

Achan Manning is a role model for creative young people.

The Talking Chair with radio and poetry booklet is a welcoming spot to enjoy poetry during National Poetry Month.

Patrons are invited to "enjoy the Talking Chair."

Robbins Library continues its observance of National Poetry Month.

For more information on National Poetry Month, and to discover local events to celebrate this important observance of the art of poetry, continue to check back with Waltham Patch, and seek out local poets, of all ages and abilities and backgrounds, in your area.