NC poet laureate to hold readings throughout April

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina’s poet laureate is traveling the state to support National Poetry Month.

Joseph Bathanti has written a poem called “Joe-Joe” that he’ll read at free events, starting Tuesday at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. He’ll also appear during April at events in Asheville, Boone, Warrenton, High Point, Wentworth, Tryon, Pittsboro and Hickory.

Bathanti is an award-winning poet and professor of creative writing at Appalachian State University. Since his appointment in August 2012, Bathanti has worked with veterans to share their stories of military service through poetry.

“Joe-Joe” is about a star basketball player who hits the winning shot, one “that goes in without touching the rim, as if there were no rim, just an invisible hole in the air that only Joe-Joe and the ball know about.”