A Not-So-Quiet Night With the Big Read

Last night, the Library, along with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, kicked off The Big Read with a reception that was quite the success. Around 140 people showed up for Asian food, music and ancient costumes. Even if you couldn't make it for the reception, you can still come to the Central Resource Library and see the beautiful floral arrangement that was put on display for the program. (If you can't make it to Central, that's a picture of the arrangement up above, but the picture only begins to capture the beauty.) There will also be programs for The Big Read throughout April and May, which we're all very excited about. You can find out more on our Web page for The Big Read.

Because we'll be exploring and celebrating Asian culture, literature, art and history with The Big Read, today's National Poetry Month offering is from the legendary T'ang Dynasty poet Li Bai (also known as Li Po, Li Bo and Li T'ai-po).

In the Quiet Night

by Li Bai

So bright a gleam on the foot of my bed—
Could there have been a frost already?
Lifting myself to look, I found that it was moonlight.
Sinking back again, I thought suddenly of home.