Smith to discuss 'Muhammad's Mountain'

Poet John Warner Smith will discuss his work, “Muhammad's Mountain,” the first book-length collection of poetry on the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali at noon Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Louisiana State Library’s Seminar Center located at 701 North Fourth Street in Baton Rouge. The event celebrates Black History Month by The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana.

Consisting of 45 poems, “Muhammad's Mountain” takes a poetic perspective in examining the life of Mohammed Ali, and in so doing examines the last half of the 20th century through the significant events Ali witnessed during those turbulent times. 

Smith, who calls Baton Rouge home, is the author of four collections of poetry: “Muhammad’s Mountain,” published by in 2018; “Spirits of the Gods,” in 2017; “Soul Be A Witness,” in 2016; and “A Mandala of Hands” in 2015. Smith’s fifth collection, “Our Shut Eyes: New and Selected Poems on Race in America,” is forthcoming in 2019.

The presentation is free and open to the public, and attendees are welcome to bring a “brown bag” lunch. Registration is not required. Books will be available for purchase from the author.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.