Poet Mei-mei Berssenbrugge to read in Katonah

The Katonah Poetry Series and Katonah Village Library will present poet Mei-mei Berssenbrugge for a rare public reading on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m.

Berssenbrugge was awarded the 2026 Frost Medal by the Poetry Society of America for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry.

“Berssenbrugge’s long-lined poems combine abstract statements and specific observation; they reveal her knowledge of philosophy, architecture, and science as well as her affinity for the New Mexico landscape,” the Katonah Poetry Series said in a release. “She has been influenced by and collaborated with artists across theater, dance, music, and the visual arts, including Kiki Smith and Richard Tuttle, her husband. Her work with composer George Lewis and the Crossing Choir won a Grammy in 2025.”

Born in Beijing and raised in the United States, Berssenbrugge is the author of 14 books of poetry. She lives in New Mexico and New York City. 

The reading will be followed by a brief Q&A. 

The series continues with a reading from Edward Hirsch on Nov. 15.