Ada Limón

Ada Limón (born March 28, 1976) is an American poet, educator, and the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States.

Limón's work often explores themes of family, loss, the natural world, and the complexities of human relationships. Her poetry is characterized by its accessibility, emotional depth, and keen observation of the ordinary.

Early Life and Education:

Limón was born in Sonoma, California. She received a BA in drama from the University of Washington and an MFA in creative writing from New York University.

Career:

Prior to her appointment as Poet Laureate, Limón held various teaching positions and was a faculty member at Queens University of Charlotte's low-residency MFA program. She also served on the editorial board of the poetry journal, Poetry Daily.

Published Works:

Limón is the author of several acclaimed poetry collections, including:

• Lucky Wreck (Autumn House Press, 2006)
• This Big Fake World (Pearl Editions, 2006)
• Sharks in the Rivers (Milkweed Editions, 2010)
• Bright Dead Things (Milkweed Editions, 2015), which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
• The Carrying (Milkweed Editions, 2018), which won the National Book Critics Circle Award.
• The Hurting Kind (Milkweed Editions, 2022)

Awards and Honors:

In addition to the National Book Critics Circle Award, Limón has received numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Pushcart Prize. She was named Poet Laureate of the United States in 2022, succeeding Joy Harjo. Her tenure began in 2022 and will continue through 2024. As Poet Laureate, Limón has undertaken initiatives to promote poetry and engage with communities across the country, including the "You Are Here" project, which encourages people to connect with their local environment through poetry.