Building Community Through Poetry
The Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program is dedicated to building community through poetry by appointing and supporting an outstanding local poet as Poet Laureate for the city, sponsoring events that feature area poets and authors from outside the New Hampshire Seacoast, and encouraging a love of poetry among people of all ages.
Established in 1997 by local arts organizers and writers, the program brings people together to celebrate the written word and the talents of local and visiting artists.


Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival
Diannely has been the Nossrat Yassini Poet in Residence at UNH and she's looking forward to reading at their inaugural poetry festival. It’s a weekend of poetry, readings, panels, workshops, and even a poetry carnival. You won’t want to miss out! April 12-14th! It’s...

Bread and Poetry interview with Ben Bacote
This Special Episode is a live recording of the event Love & Resistance: Poetry & Conversation, Latinx Voices that took place on el Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), November 2, 2023. The event was in collaboration with NH PANTHER whose mission is to...

The PPLP is making a book!
As Diannely's term as poet laureate of Portsmouth draws to a close we are making a book with poetry from the community inspired by all the amazing work she has done with the Bread & Poetry Podcast, her work with marginalized communities, and workshops. Here's a...

Bread & Poetry Interview with Fariha Róisín
On this episode, Diannely breaks bread with poet Fariha Róisín and talk about manna, seeking truth, and Refaat Alareer. Listen on Simplecast Fariha Róisín is a multidisciplinary artist, born in Ontario, Canada. She was raised in Sydney, Australia, and is based in Los...

Bread & Poetry Interview with Nathan McClain
On this episode, Diannely breaks bread with poet, father, and chef extraordinaire Nathan McClain and they talk about english muffins, memory, and John Murillo. Listen on Simplecast Nathan McClain (he/him) is the author of Previously Owned (2022), longlisted for the...

Bread & Poetry Interview with Olatunde Osinaike
On this episode, Diannely breaks bread with poet Olatunde Osinaike and they talk about puff puff, doo-wop, and Amaud Jamal Johnson. Listen on Simplecast Originally from the West Side of Chicago, Olatunde Osinaike (he/him) is a Nigerian-American poet, essayist, and...

Nancy Grace Horton photo of Robert Dunn
We have very few pictures of the penny poet of Portsmouth Robert Dunn and they're all a little grainy and we've had no idea who took them. But recently Nancy Grace Horton, the photographer of the most iconic of Dunn's photos, reached out to let us know she was the one...

Bread & Poetry Interview with Sarah Audsley
On this episode, we break bread with poet Sarah Audsley and talk about chapati, dictionary poems, and Tiana Nobile. Listen on Simplecast Come see Sarah Audsley at the Hoot on November 1st 7pm at Portsmouth Book & Bar! Guest: Sarah Audsley, IG: @saudsley,...

Bread & Poetry Interview with Tariq Luthun
On this episode, we break bread with Tariq Luthun, award-winning poet and community organizer. We talk about a "community of breads," freedom, and Safia Elhillo. (Make sure to listen to the blooper at the end!) Guest: Tariq Luthun, IG: @tariqpoems,...

Interview in the Herald with Diannely!
Diannely Antigua, Portsmouth poet laureate, says her trauma brings power to her writing Ian Lenahan Portsmouth Herald 9/26/2023 PORTSMOUTH — The first of many journals Diannely Antigua has written in throughout her life was a childhood Christmas gift from her sister....