Haverhill River Bards, in collaboration with Creative Haverhill, will hold a special Commemorative Poetry Reading to mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The event will feature poems written or first published within a year after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Attendees can select from these poems or bring their own. Local poets are also encouraged to present new works reflecting on the shared history, community strength, and national unity since 9/11.
Haverhill Poet Laureate Dan Speers emphasized the event’s purpose: “This gathering honors those we lost, celebrates the resilience of survivors, and recognizes the bravery of first responders,” he said.
The free event will take place on Wednesday, September 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at HC Media Studio 101, Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St., Haverhill.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, several city councilors, and other poets will join the Haverhill River Bards for the evening. The public is invited to both listen and participate. “Your contribution, whether through a personal poem or a selected piece, will add to the reverence of the occasion,” Speers noted. “Community involvement enhances the tribute to victims and celebrates the unity forged from tragedy.”
The Haverhill River Bards, now in their eighth year, have established a tradition of showcasing the diverse voices of the community. The commemoration will be livestreamed and recorded by HC Media.