In his debut poetry collection Worldly Things, poet, essayist, and literary critic Michael Kleber-Diggs delivers profound reflections on loss, parenthood, masculinity, and life as a Black man in contemporary America (and specifically, in St. Paul, Minnesota). Amidst tragedy, these poems extend themselves towards compassion and radical kindness, envisioning a more just and tender world while acknowledging how far we still have to go.

Michael Kleber-Diggs is the author of Worldly Things, which was awarded the 2020 Max Ritvo Poetry Prize. He was born and raised in Kansas and now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. His work has appeared in Lit Hub, the Rumpus, Rain Taxi, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Water~Stone Review, Midway Review, North Dakota Quarterly and a few anthologies. Michael teaches poetry and creative non-fiction through the Minnesota Prison Writers Workshop.

Please note: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within the prior 72 hours is required to attend this event. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.