Martín Espada
The page of the National Book Award-winning poet, essayist, translator, editor, and activist.
- Back in #NYC for my second event. On Oct 23 (7:30 pm), I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows at Hunter College as part of the Distinguished Writers Series, my first reading from the new book in the city. Here's the link: 🔗 hunter.cuny.edu/event/martin...
- On Oct 22, I’ll join Máximo Colón, David Gonzalez & Erika P. Rodríguez for a panel honoring my father, Frank Espada, and the legacy of Nuyorican photography. 📍CENTRO, Hunter College 🔗 centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/event/nuyori...
- Gracias to Rich Tenorio & palabra for the interview about Jailbreak of Sparrows, confronting colonialism’s shadow, Puerto Rico’s independence struggle, generational racism & Roberto Clemente. ➡️ www.palabranahj.org/archive/igua... ◀️
- On Thu 9/25, 7 PM, I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows & talk with Andre Dubus III at First Congregational Church, South Hadley (near Mount Holyoke). Sponsored by Odyssey Bookshop. Andre is a terrific writer & conversationalist. Free admission: www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-esp....
- Reposted by Martín EspadaA psalm for this day. Gracias @martinespadapoet.bsky.social ...¡Alabanza! youtu.be/H3anIr7vAIQ?...
- 24 years ago, 43 members of HERE Local 100—workers at Windows on the World—were among the 2,753 killed on 9/11. Most were immigrants, many undocumented, invisible in life, even moreso in death. Alabanza—praise. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47868/...
- Jack Agüeros (1934–2014) was born 91 years ago today. Puerto Rican poet, fiction writer, essayist, playwright, translator, community organizer, director of El Museo del Barrio & my second father. Two poems for my compañero Jack: vimeo.com/60666713 www.poetryfoundation.org/poetry.../po...
- On the Labor Heritage Power Hour, join me and Susan Eisenberg for “Poems of Work, Songs of Struggle.” I read from Jailbreak of Sparrows (including “A Dream of Drunks Outsmarting Me,” my bouncer poem). The program also celebrates the IWW’s Little Red Songbook. Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/0rKT...
- Here's an interview about JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS--and many other things--in the LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS. Many thanks to my excellent interviewer, Annelies Zijderveld: lareviewofbooks.org/article/ther... @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
- I gave a reading at Keeler Tavern Museum. Afterwards, I met Martín Albizu Irlanda Ferguson, named for me by his parents, Ryan & Caroline. "Honored" doesn't do it justice. Here's a cosmic coincidence: we were born on the same day--August 7th--67 years apart.
- Dennis J. Bernstein—host of Flashpoints on KPFA-FM in Berkeley—is a beacon of sanity. I joined him last Monday to read poems on immigration from Jailbreak of Sparrows & Floaters & to talk about the ICE roundups. My segment starts around the 20-minute mark: kpfa.org/episode/flas...
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- Join me for Poetry in the Garden: Voices From Marginalized America tomorrow, July 14, 7PM@ Keeler Tavern Museum (Ridgefield, CT). I'll read with Joan Kwon Glass. Music by Arthur Lipner & Nanny Asis. In case of rain, we'll move into the Garden House. Info: keelertavernmuseum.org/events/526/p...
- Reposted by Martín Espada"...in the midst of immigration hysteria and mass deportations, he brings us his signature witness and compassion..." Our newest book review takes a look at @martinespadapoet.bsky.social's latest, JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS: www.goodriverreview.com/post/jailbre...
- Last Saturday, Lauren and I joined more than 1000 protestors at the No Kings rally in Northampton. The button I wore quotes Thomas Paine: "In America the law is king."
- Today is both my wedding anniversary & my wife's birthday. We were married in our living room by a Justice of the Peace. I read this sonnet. Ada Limón later featured the poem in her podcast, The Slowdown: www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2022...
- Deportation depends on collaboration. This is nothing new--and neither is resistance. 35 years ago, I was a tenant lawyer in Chelsea, MA. We were told not to help undocumented people. We did anyway. Read/listen to the poem here: www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
- I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS for The Arts Cafe Mystic on May 30th (7 PM), celebrating "31 years of poetry, prose, music and praise" at the La Grua Center in Stonington, CT. Singer/songwriter Polly Bessette will join me. theartscafemystic.org/home
- There is a late season Nor'easter coming through Massachusetts today, bringing with it two inches of rain & 25 MPH winds. Lexington Community Education & I have decided to postpone my reading to June 10th, at 7 PM. There will be a new venue: Follen Church in Lexington. More updates to follow.
- I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS at the First Parish Church in Lexington on May 22nd, presented by Lexington Community Education, "committed to bringing lifelong learning to all." The $15 entry fee supports learning programs for children & adults alike. lexingtoncommunityed.org/class/jailbr...
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[Not loaded yet] - From JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS, here's the poem "My Mother Sings an Encore." #mothersday #poemoftheday #jailbreakofsparrows
- Big thanks to everyone who turned out for the Mass Humanities launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. At the book signing, I met a young couple who've paid me the highest honor: they've named their dog after me. Meet Martín the Miniature Poodle, pictured here with the poet reading, signing & so on.
- Friends y Familia! Join me, Mass Humanities & the Holyoke community to celebrate the launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. I'm reading at the De la Luz Divine Theater in Holyoke on Thursday, May 1st at 6 pm. Big thanks to Jill Brevik & Mass Humanities. Register for free here delaluz.org/events/marti...
- I'm appearing at the Newburyport Literary Festival on Saturday, April 26th, 3:45 PM, for "Bardic Gifts and Epic Tales." I will share the stage with poet Rhina Espaillat and her Poetry Soup students from Newburyport High School. Here's the link: newburyportliteraryfestival.org/2025-schedul...
- I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS at a Cambridge institution, Porter Square Books, on Thursday, April 23rd at 7 PM. RSVP here: www.portersquarebooks.com/event/mart%C... @portersqbooks.bsky.social
- David Masciotra is an author, journalist and cultural critic. Here's his excellent take on Jailbreak of Sparrows and the historical moment in the online progressive journal Counterpunch: www.counterpunch.org/2025/04/11/p...
- On April 17, I'll inaugurate the annual Olive Higgins Prouty Poetry Celebration at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with readings from FLOATERS & JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. Books will be available for signing after the event. www.wpi.edu/news/announc...
- Reposted by Martín EspadaNew books by acclaimed poets including Maggie Nelson and Martin Espada speak to the moment. @aaknopf.bsky.social @redhenpress.bsky.social @atriabooks.bsky.social @martinespadapoet.bsky.social @maggienelson.bsky.social www.bookpage.com/?p=213766 #poetry #readbookpage #goodreads
- Reposted by Martín EspadaNew poetry collections in spring just make sense! We were excited to see this new collection from @martinespadapoet.bsky.social in our mailbox this week, which @ilyakaminsky.bsky.social calls "a shield against the onslaught of the world's sharper edges." www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
- On Saturday, April 19th, 7 PM, I'm reading with Andrea Cohen and Robert Pinsky, headlining the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival at the University of New Hampshire. Visit the link for info and reserve your free ticket here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nossra...
- Here's a feature on JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS in BookPage. Thanks to Phoebe Farrell-Sherman for the thoughtful review: www.bookpage.com/reviews/jail... @readbookpage.bsky.social #jailbreakofsparrows #newpoetry #newbookalert
- Three photos from the launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS at Raven Used Books. Many thanks to the photographer, my old friend Doug Anderson. Purchase link: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
- I joined my friend and radio host Allen Ruff on WORT FM to read from my new collection, JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. I speak of my father's influence on my becoming a poet and activist, how it's the poet's job to write socially engaged poems, and more! Listen via the link: www.wortfm.org/poet-martin-...
- Good to see this review of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS in The Washington Post. Many thanks to Christopher Kondrich. #jailbreakofsparrows #newbookalert #poems
- Reposted by Martín Espada“My grandmother caught cousin Gisela on the couch with the plastic slipcovers that would squeak whenever anybody sat down.” Read “Jailbreak of Sparrows,” a poem by @martinespadapoet.bsky.social from the collection Jailbreak of Sparrows.
- Reposted by Martín Espada🎙️On today's show, @martinespadapoet.bsky.social reads from his new collection, Jailbreak of Sparrows. He tells host Allen Ruff that progress isn’t linear, it “loops in figures of eight.” Listen here: www.wortfm.org/poet-martin-...
