James E. Tokley, Sr. earned a master's degree in English Education from Temple University in Philadelphia. His postgraduate work at the University of South Florida focused on American Literature. He has been Tampa's Poet Laureate since 1996.

Imagine Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address as a poem. What's the difference between a speech and a poem? Is a poem a powerful piece of art if it lacks simile, analogy and metaphor? Explore the world of poetry with Tampa's Poet Laureate, James E. Tokley, Sr. Learn about his approach to the craft of poetry and his evolution as a poet.

• Available Sessions
• Thursday, November 16, 2017, University Village, Auditorium