Susan Rich, who will appear in two events on Saturday at the Massachusetts Poetry Festival, takes inspiration from things that require her to—as she says—“leap out of myself.” Whether she’s writing poems that reflect human rights themes or ekphrastic poetry, Rich likes to get out of her comfort zone.

The 2011 Massachusetts Poetry Festival kickoff event will feature Salem State University alum Tom Sexton, author of a dozen books of poetry and former poet laureate of Alaska.  The event will also feature readings by alumni of the Salem Poetry Seminar, some of the most talented poets to come out of Massachusetts public colleges and universities [...]