Poet and nonfiction author, J. Chester Johnson, will appear at St. Mark’s in the Bowery on Sunday, May 3rd at 2 pm.
Johnson will share reflections from his book, Auden, the Psalms, and Me, offering a rare and personal look at the retranslation of the Psalms in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the surprising, little-known role of poet W. H. Auden in that work—including Auden’s correspondence with clergy at his home parish of St. Mark’s. Drawing on Johnson’s own experience as a member (now, sole surviving member) of the Psalter drafting committee that included Auden, Johnson brings this history to life with insight, humor, and depth.
The program will also include a reading from Johnson’s newest poetry collection, Reading Whispers: Book of Triple Haiku, a luminous volume of new-form poetry – a volume that has already gained significant praise from some of the country’s best-known poets and critics, such as Kimiko Hahn, Cornelius Eady, Edward Mendelson, Barry Wallenstein, and Ann Cefola.
Details:
Sunday, May 3, 2026
2:00 pm
St. Mark’s in the Bowery
131 East 10th Street
New York, NY
This event is free.