J. Chester Johnson, the World Trade Center Memorial poet, will read from his new poetry book St. Paul’s Chapel & Selected Shorter Poems on September 19 at 7 p.m. at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The reading, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Harris Recital Hall of the UAM Music Building. No reservations are required.

   “St. Paul’s Chapel,” the title poem of Johnson’s new book, commemorates the New York City chapel next to the World Trade Center, which miraculously survived the collapse of the Twin Towers. St. Paul’s Chapel was used as the communications and relief center for the recovery workers responsible for the cleanup at Ground Zero. The chapel became a symbol of hope, survival and renewal for many in a time of national distress and mourning.

   The title poem is one of 12 exhibits on display in St. Paul’s Chapel, which receives from 30,000 to 35,000 visitors a week. Visitors to the chapel are provided copies of Johnson’s poem.

   Johnson lives in New York City and is a former Monticello resident who attended UAM before graduating from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. He also attended Harvard. Johnson and his wife, Freda, endowed the Birch-Johnson Writing Scholarship through the UAM Foundation Fund. The scholarship is given annually to a UAM writing student.

   Johnson is a member of the Academy of American Poets and the Poetry Society of America.  He worked with poet W.H. Auden to retranslate the “Psalms” for The Episcopal Church, which is now contained in The Common Book of Prayer.  Miller Williams, poet for President Bill Clinton’s inaugural, and may other poets and critics have praised Johnson’s poetry.

   Johnson and his wife serve as financial advisors to large governments and other public entities, including the state of Louisiana, which has relied on the Johnsons in its recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.           

   Johnson’s appearance is being supported by the School of Arts and Humanities as well as the Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series.

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.