Reading for Mid-Atlantic Review in Washington DC: ‘Letter to My Eldest Ancestor’

If this work resonates with you, please consider supporting my upcoming trip to a writers’ retreat in Senegal next month, where I will work on completing my second book. (I was supposed to go in March 2025 and have more time to save money, but that trip was cancelled and January is my best option if I want to make this happen.)

[Video thumbnail description: Atena, a dark-skinned Black woman, is smiling, looking at papers on a lucite podium she is standing behind. She wears dangly watermelon earrings, a colorful, off-the-shoulder mudcloth-patterned sweater, and Black leather pants with wedge work boots.]

I travelled to DC a couple of weeks ago to participate in this reading and share this poem. ‘Letter to My Eldest Ancestor’ was published earlier this year in Day Eight’s Mid-Atlantic Review Online, in celebration of Black History Month. The poem was also published in their printed edition and it was lovely to be invited to read at the launch event for the publication. I was able to meet and connect with poets, and enjoy a brief reunion with my friend, poet Sunu Chandy.
Thanks again to Sunu for capturing the video!

Thank you for reading and listening!

Ever grateful,

💖 Atena

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