Poet Kathy Nelson to Read at National Poetry Month Series

Nelson's poem 'Portrait of the Pianist: My Mother, 1940' to be featured at Mountain Music Parlor event.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:35pm

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Poet Kathy Nelson will be reading at the National Poetry Month Reading Series hosted by the Mountain Music Parlor in Reno, Nevada on Thursday, April 2. Nelson's poem 'Portrait of the Pianist: My Mother, 1940' will be featured as part of the monthly reading series.

Why it matters

The National Poetry Month Reading Series is an annual event that celebrates poetry and provides a platform for local and regional poets to share their work with the community. Nelson's poem offers a poignant and introspective look at the relationship between a mother and daughter, exploring themes of identity, vulnerability, and the weight of familial expectations.

The details

Nelson's poem 'Portrait of the Pianist: My Mother, 1940' was first published in the Valparaiso Poetry Review. The poem delves into the complex emotions and experiences of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, capturing the tension between her outward poise and her inner turmoil.

  • The National Poetry Month Reading Series is hosted every Thursday in April, starting at 6:30 pm.
  • Kathy Nelson will be reading her poem on Thursday, April 2.

The players

Kathy Nelson

A poet who will be reading at the National Poetry Month Reading Series in Reno, Nevada.

Mountain Music Parlor

The venue hosting the National Poetry Month Reading Series in Reno, Nevada.

Lindsay Wilson

The organizer of the National Poetry Month Reading Series.

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What they’re saying

“You're taking that single breath between girl and woman—the ripening plum of your mouth, the first sign of softness above the narrow satin ribbon of your empire waist.”

— Kathy Nelson, Poet

What’s next

The National Poetry Month Reading Series will continue every Thursday in April at the Mountain Music Parlor in Reno, featuring a lineup of local and regional poets.

The takeaway

Kathy Nelson's poem 'Portrait of the Pianist: My Mother, 1940' offers a poignant and introspective exploration of the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, highlighting the universal themes of identity, vulnerability, and the weight of familial expectations that resonate with poetry lovers in the Reno community.