Poems on the Sandbar

Poems on the Sandbar
Presented in partnership with The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center.
Featuring a reading of An Elegy for Tokitae, a collaborative poem written by O, Miami’s elementary school students to commemorate the life of Tokitae the orca.

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Meet us on Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ birthday for a workshop & reading inspired by the same landscape she advocated to preserve. Led by 2023 MSD prize winner, Poet Yaddyra Peralta, we’ll write together then gather over Marjory’s favorite, tea & cocktails, to honor this year’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award winner, Arsimmer McCoy. And if Marjory’s confidence inspires you, share your original poems from the sandbar.

Each April, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award is given to one South Florida poet who represents qualities that reflect Marjory Stoneman Douglas and her legacy. Past winners include Jaswinder Bolina, Aja Monet, Cherry Pickman, Houston Cypress, and Yaddyra Peralta.

You’ll also be the first to hear An Elegy for Tokitae, a collaborative poem written by O, Miami’s Sunroom school students to commemorate the life of Tokitae the orca, locally known as “Lolita,” who died tragically last year after 53 years in captivity at Miami’s storied Seaquarium just a few weeks shy of freedom. This project promotes compassion for, and reflection on, the life and plight of these amazing marine mammals through the art of poetry. Project by Francis Oliver and José Portela.