Yusef Komunyakaa Awarded 2026 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry
The Library of Congress has announced that Yusef Komunyakaa will be awarded the 2026 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry. This prestigious award recognizes Komunyakaa's lifetime achievement in poetry. The award ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, at 6 p.m. in the Library’s Jefferson Building, preceded by a display of related collection items at 5 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend, with registration available. Komunyakaa is expected to reflect on his extensive career and discuss the unique power of poetry in conveying profound American experiences. Following his remarks, he will engage in a moderated conversation with fellow poet Dante Micheaux. Komunyakaa, born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has authored over a dozen poetry collections, numerous essays, opera librettos, and anthologies. His most recent work, 'Trading Riffs to Slay Monsters' (2026), is a collaborative effort with poet Laren McClung, composed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a verse conversation. His n...
