MARGUERITE MARÍA RIVAS
Poet and Humanities Researcher
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Poet and Essayist
Marguerite María Rivas, Associate Professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College, holds a doctorate from Drew University and a master’s degree from The City University of New York. Much of her work is directly related to the history, culture, and natural and built environments of Staten Island. Her poetry and scholarly work has been published in anthologies, journals, and periodicals, nationally and internationally. Rivas has received numerous grants and awards, including Staten Island Arts Council’s Excellence in Literary Arts and the Marg Chandler Memorial Award from A Room of Her Own Foundation. She was twice named a finalist for the Rita Dove International Poetry Award. Her poem, “Witness” was one of 30 chosen by the Two-Year College Association April-is-Poetry-Month Award, and her poem "Pilgrimage" is included in a best-selling college text. She is the author of two collections of poetry, Poetry Cannot Save You and Tell No One: Poems of Witness. PHOTO CREDIT: WILLIE CHU
POETRY: MY ISLAND VERSE
Poet William Carlos Williams asserted that the "local is the only universal." Like Williams, my poetry springs from the natural environment of my locality, is inspired by its history, and celebrates the lives of the people who inhabit it.
AVAILABLE FOR READINGS AND WORKSHOPS
I dwell in possibility.