Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle: eL Cien Poetry Workshop

Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle leads a hands-on poetry workshop at Budlong Woods, guiding participants through the composition of an "eL Cien" — a 100-word poem built from five couplets with ten words per line, capturing the sensory experience of a place. The form requires the phrase "I am" in the first or last couplet, and del Valle brings her background as a South Side–born poet, performer, and interdisciplinary artist to the session. She has taught poetry in schools and detention facilities and currently serves as a poet-in-residence with the Chicago Poetry Center. The workshop runs Wednesday evening, November 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Space is limited, so registration is required; accessibility accommodations can be requested with at least 14 business days' notice.