He has been a lawyer, a bouncer and a longtime college professor at the University of Massachusetts.
But Martin Espada is best known for his writing, with nearly 20 books published under his name including his most recent called, “Vivas to Those Who Have Failed.”
Often called “the people’s poet,” the Chicago Poetry Foundation awarded Espada the annual Ruth Lilly Prize in May. The $100,000 Lilly prize is one of the nation's top literary awards.
He joins Chicago Tonight’s Brandis Friedman in conversation.
Espada reads the poem, “The Beating Heart of the Wristwatch.”
Espada reads the poem, “That We Will sing.”
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