On Tuesday, April 7, Southern Utah University’s Grace A. Tanner Center for Human Values welcomed Utah poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore for a poetry reading.
Danielle Dubrasky, Grace A. Tanner Center director, opened the floor with an introduction of the poet’s work before letting Bickmore take the lead. Through her lecture titled “Songs of Loss and Hope,” Bickmore read several personal poems from her collections.
Before each poem, she gave context for why she decided to write it. Most of her inspiration was drawn from real-life experiences, like her poem “Bardo” dedicated to her dying sister. She also presented two poems from projects she is still working on.
“Today I’ve been thinking about this war and how angry and helpless I feel,” said Bickmore. “And so to read those poems that are about that was really meaningful to me and I appreciate the chance to do it and (give) hope (to) people like them.”
After the reading, a discussion was held. Bickmore shared more about her writing process, her travel inspiration and her feelings about AI.
“The difference between AI and human writing is that someone made it,” said Bickmore. “ I think that is what people respond to in any kind of art because they can ‘touch’ the thing that connects them to another human being.”
Snacks, drinks and a book signing were featured at the event. Bickmore’s books, “Haste,” “Ephemerist” and “Flicker” were available for attendees to buy.
Following the reading, a dinner was hosted at 6:15 p.m. in the Brian Head Room of the Sharwan Smith Student Center. Over a shared meal, participants had the opportunity to engage in deeper conversations with Bickmore.
“I will say that I really love to still have the chance to do some teaching these days, but it is refreshing to do it in a setting where people who I’m working with really want to learn about poetry,” said Bickmore. “They’ve decided that they want to, and that is really exciting.”
The Grace A. Tanner Center for Human Values is an integral part of SUU culture. Located in the basement level of the library, the center offers several guest lecture opportunities, as well as the Human Values Certificate.
The fall 2026 Grace A. Tanner Lecture will be delivered on Oct. 1, in the Great Hall of the Hunter Alumni Center at 11:30 a.m. For more information, check the center’s website.
