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TRYON—Winner of many awards, poet Greg Rappleye describes poetry as his “profession pursued with a passion.” That skill and heart-felt drive is lyrically evident in his newest book, “Barley Child,” which gives voice to four generations of Irish American lives. In Greg’s reading, Live@Lanier, Thursday, June 26, at 1 p.m., the audience is invited to experience the passion of family legends, whispered stories, and sworn denials. These are based on real and imagined people found in or inspired by old letters, church registries, yellowed newspapers, census records, and vintage photographs. With the sarcastic wit of the Irish, each bears witness to measures of poverty, absurdity, madness, violence, alcoholism, and shame.

Greg became acquainted with Lanier Library when winning second place and two honorable mentions in the 2000 Sidney Lanier Poetry Contest and has been quite an active poet since. In addition to five books and four chapbooks, his poems have appeared in Poetry, the Southern Review, the North American Review, Arts & Letters, Shenandoah, Virginia Quarterly Review, and more. His recognition includes national prizes such as the Brittingham Prize and international prizes such as the International Fish Prize (Ireland).

He teaches in the English department at Hope College in Michigan and has delivered readings and taught workshops at universities, colleges, conferences, libraries, and bookstores across the United States.

The Lanier Library is located at 72 Chestnut Street. For other coming programs, call 828-859-9535 or visit www.thelanierlibrary.org.