The South End Writes is hosting nationally renowned poet Henri Cole, the first poet reading for the series sponsored by FOSEL. The South End resident, who teaches at Ohio State University but is here for spring recess, will read from the new paperback edition of “Pierce the Skin” on Tuesday, March 15. “Pierce the Skin” was just named a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Poetry Award. Cole has published numerous collections of poetry, including “Middle Earth,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Another collection,“Blackbird and Wolf” received the Lenore Marshall Poetry Award from the Academy of American Poets. Cole, who is the poetry editor for The New Republic, was born in Japan to an American father and French mother but was raised in Virginia.

In the summer, Cole teaches poetry workshops at the Fine Works Art Center in Provincetown.

A number of Cole's collections of poetry are available for "take-out" at the South End Library, thanks to head librarian, Anne Smart.