"A Rochester publisher - BOA Editions, Ltd. - can pride itself on being at the center of the poetry universe in 2012," says Jack Garner of Rochester, New York's own Democrat and Chronicle. "They've assembled the poetry of the greatest and most beloved poet among those they publish to create a book that is swiftly becoming an event - The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010." On the topic of worldwide adoration for Ms. Clifton and her poetry, Garner suggests that this love is "engendered by Clifton's large heart and richly inspired observations of family and all sorts of relationships and entanglements and emotional scars and rich faith that all evolve out of the humanity around her." "Like all great writers," Garner adds, "Clifton was both observant of everything around her, and able to form her observations into beautiful succinct art." Ms. Clifton's "ever-maturing attitudes," her "potent views of race and society," and her ability to unpack important topics such as "African-American heritage and feminist themes, and, often, the female body..." not only reflect her sharp writing ability, but they reflect her commitment to sharing important words with the world. In addition to The Poetry Foundation's Lucille Clifton tribute and The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010 book launch this Thursday, BOA is bringing the celebration to Rochester. BOA's annual Dine & Rhyme event will take place this Sunday, September 23, and will honor the legacy of Lucille Clifton while also featuring major poets Dorianne Laux and Nin Andrews. Laux and Andrews will begin reading from their own works and from The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010 at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Art Gallery auditorium, and a reception, dinner, and silent auction will follow at 5 p.m. at Good Luck Restaurant. For ticket information to this ever-popular event, contact Melissa Hall at 585.546.3410 ex. 11, or hall@boaeditions.org. Read Garner's insightful piece in its entirety here. Image courtesy of likeawhisper.wordpress.com