Martín Espada
@martinespadapoet.bsky.social
The page of the National Book Award-winning poet, essayist, translator, editor, and activist.
Back in #NYC for my second event. On Oct 23 (7:30 pm), I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows at Hunter College as part of the Distinguished Writers Series, my first reading from the new book in the city. Here's the link:
🔗 hunter.cuny.edu/event/martin...
🔗 hunter.cuny.edu/event/martin...
October 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Back in #NYC for my second event. On Oct 23 (7:30 pm), I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows at Hunter College as part of the Distinguished Writers Series, my first reading from the new book in the city. Here's the link:
🔗 hunter.cuny.edu/event/martin...
🔗 hunter.cuny.edu/event/martin...
On Oct 22, I’ll join Máximo Colón, David Gonzalez & Erika P. Rodríguez for a panel honoring my father, Frank Espada, and the legacy of Nuyorican photography.
📍CENTRO, Hunter College
🔗 centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/event/nuyori...
📍CENTRO, Hunter College
🔗 centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/event/nuyori...
October 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
On Oct 22, I’ll join Máximo Colón, David Gonzalez & Erika P. Rodríguez for a panel honoring my father, Frank Espada, and the legacy of Nuyorican photography.
📍CENTRO, Hunter College
🔗 centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/event/nuyori...
📍CENTRO, Hunter College
🔗 centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/event/nuyori...
Gracias to Rich Tenorio & palabra for the interview about Jailbreak of Sparrows, confronting colonialism’s shadow, Puerto Rico’s independence struggle, generational racism & Roberto Clemente.
➡️ www.palabranahj.org/archive/igua... ◀️
➡️ www.palabranahj.org/archive/igua... ◀️
October 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Gracias to Rich Tenorio & palabra for the interview about Jailbreak of Sparrows, confronting colonialism’s shadow, Puerto Rico’s independence struggle, generational racism & Roberto Clemente.
➡️ www.palabranahj.org/archive/igua... ◀️
➡️ www.palabranahj.org/archive/igua... ◀️
On Thu 9/25, 7 PM, I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows & talk with Andre Dubus III at First Congregational Church, South Hadley (near Mount Holyoke). Sponsored by Odyssey Bookshop. Andre is a terrific writer & conversationalist. Free admission:
www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-esp....
www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-esp....
September 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On Thu 9/25, 7 PM, I’ll read from Jailbreak of Sparrows & talk with Andre Dubus III at First Congregational Church, South Hadley (near Mount Holyoke). Sponsored by Odyssey Bookshop. Andre is a terrific writer & conversationalist. Free admission:
www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-esp....
www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-esp....
Reposted by Martín Espada
24 years ago, 43 members of HERE Local 100—workers at Windows on the World—were among the 2,753 killed on 9/11. Most were immigrants, many undocumented, invisible in life, even moreso in death. Alabanza—praise. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47868/...
September 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
24 years ago, 43 members of HERE Local 100—workers at Windows on the World—were among the 2,753 killed on 9/11. Most were immigrants, many undocumented, invisible in life, even moreso in death. Alabanza—praise. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47868/...
Jack Agüeros (1934–2014) was born 91 years ago today. Puerto Rican poet, fiction writer, essayist, playwright, translator, community organizer, director of El Museo del Barrio & my second father. Two poems for my compañero Jack: vimeo.com/60666713
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetry.../po...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetry.../po...
Martín Espada reads "Blessed Be The Truth-Tellers"
This is "Martín Espada reads "Blessed Be The Truth-Tellers"" by BillMoyers.com on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people…
vimeo.com
September 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Jack Agüeros (1934–2014) was born 91 years ago today. Puerto Rican poet, fiction writer, essayist, playwright, translator, community organizer, director of El Museo del Barrio & my second father. Two poems for my compañero Jack: vimeo.com/60666713
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetry.../po...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetry.../po...
On the Labor Heritage Power Hour, join me and Susan Eisenberg for “Poems of Work, Songs of Struggle.” I read from Jailbreak of Sparrows (including “A Dream of Drunks Outsmarting Me,” my bouncer poem). The program also celebrates the IWW’s Little Red Songbook. Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/0rKT...
August 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
On the Labor Heritage Power Hour, join me and Susan Eisenberg for “Poems of Work, Songs of Struggle.” I read from Jailbreak of Sparrows (including “A Dream of Drunks Outsmarting Me,” my bouncer poem). The program also celebrates the IWW’s Little Red Songbook. Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/0rKT...
Here's an interview about JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS--and many other things--in the LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS. Many thanks to my excellent interviewer, Annelies Zijderveld: lareviewofbooks.org/article/ther...
@lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
@lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Here's an interview about JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS--and many other things--in the LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS. Many thanks to my excellent interviewer, Annelies Zijderveld: lareviewofbooks.org/article/ther...
@lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
@lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
I gave a reading at Keeler Tavern Museum. Afterwards, I met Martín Albizu Irlanda Ferguson, named for me by his parents, Ryan & Caroline.
"Honored" doesn't do it justice. Here's a cosmic coincidence: we were born on the same day--August 7th--67 years apart.
"Honored" doesn't do it justice. Here's a cosmic coincidence: we were born on the same day--August 7th--67 years apart.
August 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I gave a reading at Keeler Tavern Museum. Afterwards, I met Martín Albizu Irlanda Ferguson, named for me by his parents, Ryan & Caroline.
"Honored" doesn't do it justice. Here's a cosmic coincidence: we were born on the same day--August 7th--67 years apart.
"Honored" doesn't do it justice. Here's a cosmic coincidence: we were born on the same day--August 7th--67 years apart.
Dennis J. Bernstein—host of Flashpoints on KPFA-FM in Berkeley—is a beacon of sanity. I joined him last Monday to read poems on immigration from Jailbreak of Sparrows & Floaters & to talk about the ICE roundups. My segment starts around the 20-minute mark: kpfa.org/episode/flas...
August 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Dennis J. Bernstein—host of Flashpoints on KPFA-FM in Berkeley—is a beacon of sanity. I joined him last Monday to read poems on immigration from Jailbreak of Sparrows & Floaters & to talk about the ICE roundups. My segment starts around the 20-minute mark: kpfa.org/episode/flas...
Reposted by Martín Espada
Sun. July 13, I’ll be part of Shelburne Falls Porch Fest @ the “Poetry Porch,” @ 105 Main St., feat. Martín Espada & Lauren Marie Schmidt @ 1, Doug Anderson, Abbot Cutler, & Candace Curran @ 2 & yours truly w/Adrie Rose & Liz Falco @ 3. 💚🌞🌿 @myownwilderness.bsky.social @martinespadapoet.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Sun. July 13, I’ll be part of Shelburne Falls Porch Fest @ the “Poetry Porch,” @ 105 Main St., feat. Martín Espada & Lauren Marie Schmidt @ 1, Doug Anderson, Abbot Cutler, & Candace Curran @ 2 & yours truly w/Adrie Rose & Liz Falco @ 3. 💚🌞🌿 @myownwilderness.bsky.social @martinespadapoet.bsky.social
Join me for Poetry in the Garden: Voices From Marginalized America tomorrow, July 14, 7PM@ Keeler Tavern Museum (Ridgefield, CT). I'll read with Joan Kwon Glass. Music by Arthur Lipner & Nanny Asis. In case of rain, we'll move into the Garden House. Info: keelertavernmuseum.org/events/526/p...
July 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Join me for Poetry in the Garden: Voices From Marginalized America tomorrow, July 14, 7PM@ Keeler Tavern Museum (Ridgefield, CT). I'll read with Joan Kwon Glass. Music by Arthur Lipner & Nanny Asis. In case of rain, we'll move into the Garden House. Info: keelertavernmuseum.org/events/526/p...
Reposted by Martín Espada
"...in the midst of immigration hysteria and mass deportations, he brings us his signature witness and compassion..." Our newest book review takes a look at @martinespadapoet.bsky.social's latest, JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS: www.goodriverreview.com/post/jailbre...
JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS: Martín Espada’s Book for All Marginalized Beings
Martín EspadaJailbreak of SparrowsAlfred A. Knopf / 2025 / 114 pp / $29 HardbackReviewed by James Long / June 2025 About a third of the way through his new collection, in a poem titled “The Critic’s T...
www.goodriverreview.com
June 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"...in the midst of immigration hysteria and mass deportations, he brings us his signature witness and compassion..." Our newest book review takes a look at @martinespadapoet.bsky.social's latest, JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS: www.goodriverreview.com/post/jailbre...
Last Saturday, Lauren and I joined more than 1000 protestors at the No Kings rally in Northampton. The button I wore quotes Thomas Paine: "In America the law is king."
June 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Last Saturday, Lauren and I joined more than 1000 protestors at the No Kings rally in Northampton. The button I wore quotes Thomas Paine: "In America the law is king."
Today is both my wedding anniversary & my wife's birthday. We were married in our living room by a Justice of the Peace. I read this sonnet. Ada Limón later featured the poem in her podcast, The Slowdown: www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2022...
June 13, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Today is both my wedding anniversary & my wife's birthday. We were married in our living room by a Justice of the Peace. I read this sonnet. Ada Limón later featured the poem in her podcast, The Slowdown: www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2022...
Deportation depends on collaboration. This is nothing new--and neither is resistance. 35 years ago, I was a tenant lawyer in Chelsea, MA. We were told not to help undocumented people. We did anyway. Read/listen to the poem here: www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
June 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Deportation depends on collaboration. This is nothing new--and neither is resistance. 35 years ago, I was a tenant lawyer in Chelsea, MA. We were told not to help undocumented people. We did anyway. Read/listen to the poem here: www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS for The Arts Cafe Mystic on May 30th (7 PM), celebrating "31 years of poetry, prose, music and praise" at the La Grua Center in Stonington, CT. Singer/songwriter Polly Bessette will join me. theartscafemystic.org/home
May 23, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS for The Arts Cafe Mystic on May 30th (7 PM), celebrating "31 years of poetry, prose, music and praise" at the La Grua Center in Stonington, CT. Singer/songwriter Polly Bessette will join me. theartscafemystic.org/home
There is a late season Nor'easter coming through Massachusetts today, bringing with it two inches of rain & 25 MPH winds. Lexington Community Education & I have decided to postpone my reading to June 10th, at 7 PM. There will be a new venue: Follen Church in Lexington. More updates to follow.
May 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM
There is a late season Nor'easter coming through Massachusetts today, bringing with it two inches of rain & 25 MPH winds. Lexington Community Education & I have decided to postpone my reading to June 10th, at 7 PM. There will be a new venue: Follen Church in Lexington. More updates to follow.
I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS at the First Parish Church in Lexington on May 22nd, presented by Lexington Community Education, "committed to bringing lifelong learning to all." The $15 entry fee supports learning programs for children & adults alike. lexingtoncommunityed.org/class/jailbr...
May 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I'm reading from JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS at the First Parish Church in Lexington on May 22nd, presented by Lexington Community Education, "committed to bringing lifelong learning to all." The $15 entry fee supports learning programs for children & adults alike. lexingtoncommunityed.org/class/jailbr...
Reposted by Martín Espada
I’ve known @martinespadapoet.bsky.social as a friend and comrade for 27 years. Every time he brings out a new book, it’s a big event for me. So it is with *Jailbreak of Sparrows*, published last month — it’s peoples’ poetry & peoples’ history all in one.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
May 12, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I’ve known @martinespadapoet.bsky.social as a friend and comrade for 27 years. Every time he brings out a new book, it’s a big event for me. So it is with *Jailbreak of Sparrows*, published last month — it’s peoples’ poetry & peoples’ history all in one.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724962...
From JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS, here's the poem "My Mother Sings an Encore."
#mothersday #poemoftheday #jailbreakofsparrows
#mothersday #poemoftheday #jailbreakofsparrows
May 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
From JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS, here's the poem "My Mother Sings an Encore."
#mothersday #poemoftheday #jailbreakofsparrows
#mothersday #poemoftheday #jailbreakofsparrows
Big thanks to everyone who turned out for the Mass Humanities launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. At the book signing, I met a young couple who've paid me the highest honor: they've named their dog after me. Meet Martín the Miniature Poodle, pictured here with the poet reading, signing & so on.
May 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Big thanks to everyone who turned out for the Mass Humanities launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. At the book signing, I met a young couple who've paid me the highest honor: they've named their dog after me. Meet Martín the Miniature Poodle, pictured here with the poet reading, signing & so on.
Friends y Familia! Join me, Mass Humanities & the Holyoke community to celebrate the launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. I'm reading at the De la Luz Divine Theater in Holyoke on Thursday, May 1st at 6 pm. Big thanks to Jill Brevik & Mass Humanities. Register for free here delaluz.org/events/marti...
April 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Friends y Familia! Join me, Mass Humanities & the Holyoke community to celebrate the launch of JAILBREAK OF SPARROWS. I'm reading at the De la Luz Divine Theater in Holyoke on Thursday, May 1st at 6 pm. Big thanks to Jill Brevik & Mass Humanities. Register for free here delaluz.org/events/marti...
I'm appearing at the Newburyport Literary Festival on Saturday, April 26th, 3:45 PM, for "Bardic Gifts and Epic Tales." I will share the stage with poet Rhina Espaillat and her Poetry Soup students from Newburyport High School. Here's the link: newburyportliteraryfestival.org/2025-schedul...
April 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I'm appearing at the Newburyport Literary Festival on Saturday, April 26th, 3:45 PM, for "Bardic Gifts and Epic Tales." I will share the stage with poet Rhina Espaillat and her Poetry Soup students from Newburyport High School. Here's the link: newburyportliteraryfestival.org/2025-schedul...