Juan Pablo Mobili
2025 Rockland County Poet Laureate

The Rockland County Poet Laureate Program is a collaboration between
the Arts Council of Rockland and County Executive, Ed Day.

The 2025 Poet Laureate is Juan Pablo Mobili, and he will serve as an ambassador for the literary arts, engaging audiences throughout Rockland County and beyond through public readings, civic events, and educational activities.

“Language is the foundation of authentic dialogue, and poetry is one of the most profound uses of language,” said Juan. I am honored to serve as Rockland County’s Poet Laureate and look forward to celebrating the power of words with our community.”

Poet Laureate Presents Poem at Rockland County’s 24th
911 Anniversary Ceremony

Families Gather at 24th Anniversary of 9/11 Attack To Toll Bells, Read Names of Loved Ones Lost, Share in Collective Grief and Strength - Rockland County Business Journal

Remembering That September by Rockland County Poet Laureate Juan Pablo Mobili

Rockland County Poet Laureate Interviewed for Podcast

Kelly Jo Lillian filmed and recorded the first ever episode of her upcoming Podcast, Ink and Alchemy on August 24th. The podcast will be available in September.

She was honored to open this journey with Rockland County Poet Laureate, Juan Pablo Mobili. Kelly Jo said, “Juan blessed this first episode with infinite wisdom and heart centered poetry. We discussed remembering as a creative act and the power of details that act as portals from writer to reader.”

Rockland County Poet Laureate Inaugural Event

Rockland County Poet Laureate, Juan Pablo Mobili, launched his 2025 laureateship with a poetry reading, Echoes of the Heart: Life’s Joys & Sorrows, featuring powerful readings by Brian Kates, Kelly Jo Lillian, Marjorie Tesser, Rebecca Watkins, and Juan Mobili at the Valley Cottage Library on February 20th.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 20th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
Marianne Leone & Juan Pablo Mobili at I Am Books, 124 Salem Street, Boston, MA
Join Rockland County Poet Laureate Juan Pablo Mobili at the Italian American Writers Association of Boston Reading Series featured with writer/actress Marianne Leone.

Thursday, September 25th @ 6:00 PM
Lit by the River: Poetry Writing Workshop at Nyack Library
Session 1: Articulating What You Notice
Join us for the first in a three-part poetry writing workshop series led by Rockland County Poet Laureate Juan Mobili and poet Rebecca Watkins. The opening session, Articulating What You Notice, explores how “paying attention” can be a poet’s greatest superpower. Together, we’ll reflect on both what you choose to write about—and what you leave unwritten—while encouraging you to step beyond your creative comfort zone. By the end of the session, each participant will craft an original poem.

Tuesday, October 7th @ 5:30 PM
Signature STAC Chat Author Talk, Lougheed Library Reading Room, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY
Join us as we welcome Rockland County’s Poet Laureate, Juan Pablo Mobili! Juan was born in Buenos Aires, and adopted by New York. His poems appeared in numerous publications in American, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia. He’s a recipient of multiple Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominations, and an Honorable Mention from the International Human Rights Art Festival. His chapbook, “Contraband,” was published in 2022 and, in January of 2025, he was appointed Poet Laureate of Rockland County, NY.

Thursday, October 16th @ 6:00 PM
Lit by the River: Poetry Writing Workshop at Nyack Library
Session 2: Revising - Finding a Great Poem Inside a Good Poem
Expanding your ability to “sound like you” as a poet. Focusing on the essence of each poem—pruning away the unnecessary to let its core shine. Exploring new tools and techniques to make your work stronger. By the end of the session, everyone will revise a recently written poem.

Thursday, November 20th @ 6:00 PM
Lit by the River: Poetry Writing Workshop at Nyack Library
Session 3: Having Your Poems Meet Their Readers
Reflecting on the factors that may hold you back from sharing your work. Reframing how you view your writing—moving beyond ideas of “acceptance” or “rejection.” Developing a personal strategy for submitting, including how to choose the right journals and select the poems to send. By the end of the session, each participant will prepare a set of poems for submission to a specific journal.