An internationally renowned poet will today be signing copies of her latest works including one celebrating the election of President Barack Obama.

Melodye Micere Van Putten is launching "Obamatyme: Election Poetry", and "Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground", at the Chancery Lane store.

Ms Van Putten is a Philadelphia- and Bermuda-based internationally known Africalogist and creator of the Ashay: Rites of Passage curriculum, which has been used in Bermuda's public schools.

'Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground' is a collection of women's poetry that represents slices of the author's life experiences, from the sacred, to the defiant, to the challenges we all live daily.

'Obamatyme: Election Poetry', offered in honour of the first anniversary of President Obama's election, is a poetry collection that chronicles Van Putten's feelings from the campaign through the early days of the Obama administration.

Her two books, both published by The Elevator Group, have received good reviews including one by renowned author, academic and speaker Cornel West who said of her work: "She is a talented poet whose love for truth and justice is quite evident in 'Obamatyme. Don't miss it!'

She will be reading and signing at True Reflections Bookstore, on Chancery Lane, today (Saturday), from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.