Amy’s Bookcase’s will celebrate National Poetry Month by hosting a book signing and poetry reading with Samuel Galbraith from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the bookstore, 2530 San Juan Blvd.
Galbraith, a 16-year-old poet from Albuquerque, recently released his debut poetry collection, “Mismatched Perceptions.” Copies will be available for purchase at the event and attendees will have a chance to meet Galbraith and discuss his work.
While Galbraith pursues a variety of writing genres, he said that poetry allows him to share his thoughts and ideas on specific topics in short form. A junior in high school, Galbraith is focused on completing the school year and hopes to have more time to work on longer projects over the summer.
Galbraith has found encouragement to write from family and friends, and recently had the opportunity to pair his poetry with music on Mick Hesse’s KSJE radio program “Roving with the Arts.”
Much of Galbraith’s poetry delves into what he refers to as “darker topics.” Poems in the collection touch on subjects such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety, self-expression and exploration of identity.
When asked where he finds inspiration for exploring these topics, he said his interest stems from personal experience with anxiety as well as trying to better understand experiences of friends who have dealt with mental health issues and challenging family situations.
When asked if his choice in writing topics ever creates tension with the adults in his life, Galbraith said that hasn’t been an issue with his parents because they have such a close relationship and they speak openly about his writing and challenges he faces.
Even though other adults in his life might occasionally questions his choice in writing topics, Galbraith said he enjoys hearing other people’s interpretation of his poetry.
“That’s a beautiful aspect of poetry,” he said, “everyone takes something different from it when they read it.”
