Cornelius Eady will read an original poem at Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as mayor of New York City on Thursday, the New York Times reports.
Eady made his literary debut in 1980 with the poetry collection Kartunes; his other books include Victims of the Latest Dance Craze, The Gathering of My Name, You Don’t Miss Your Water, and The Autobiography of a Jukebox. His 2001 collection, Brutal Imagination, was a finalist for the National Book Award; a critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, “Eady’s touch is masterly.”
In 1996, Eady and fellow poet Toi Derricotte founded the Cave Canem Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers support to Black poets. The group has been recognized with the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award and the National Book Critics Circle’s Toni Morrison Achievement Award.
Eady told the Times that he was contacted by Mamdani’s transition team about writing an original poem for the inauguration. He decided to accept the offer because of his support for the candidacy of Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist who was elected last month to lead New York City.
“People are seeing themselves reflected in him and in his energy, and that’s just like medicine to them,” Eady said. “That energy allows people to keep going forward, not to despair. I’m hoping that the poem reflects that kind of moment.”
He shared an excerpt from the poem he plans to deliver, titled “Proof,” with the Times.
Mamdani said in a statement, “As we work to build a New York where every voice is heard, it is a privilege to usher in this moment with a poet who has dedicated his career to that very work.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
