Do you love The Rail Trail? Forests? Poetry??

You’re in for a treat! Come hear Richard Parisio, poet, naturalist and retired DEC environmental  educator read from his new book, Trailside Register, recently published by Bushwack Books, at the perfect forest venue: the Rail Trail Cafe!

Bike, walk or drive to the Rail Trail Cafe, order a wood fired pizza, and settle in under the trees to hear nature poetry with the music of tree frogs, thrushes and wind in the trees as accompaniment. Everyone who comes is invited to bring a nature poem to share. Rich will share the mic after his reading with anyone who would like to read a favorite nature poem.

Afterwards, Rich will lead a short twilight nature walk on the Rail Trail. All nature/poetry lovers attending this event will receive a copy of his award-winning chapbook, “The Owl Invites Your Silence.”

For more information about this free event, call or email Rich Parisio (845-705-0640; rparisio811@gmail.com)

Richard Parisio lives and writes in the Hudson Valley, where he has worked as a naturalist and educator for over four decades. His chapbook, The Owl Invites Your Silence, won the 2013 Slapering Hol Press Poetry Chapbook Award, and he holds an MFA from Cedar Crest College. His full poetry collection, Trailside Register, was published by Bushwack Books in 2025.