Haydil writes the pulse of the working class, the stories of her transnational people, of the subtle naïveté birthed by the American Dream, of their un-dwindling praise song. She feels most powerful when she can write a poem in its own voice, depicting its many facets, dialects, its dance and its many ways of showing amor.
Performing Since ‘07
Haydil has performed spoken word since she was a teenager. Although she no longer indulges in the open mic scene, she can be seen gracing the stage performing her original poetry. Her poems are usually 2 to 5 minutes long and are a lyrical immersive experience.
Authentic Stories
Haydil is a reckoning! She calls for communities reclaiming power, through poetry (authentic stories) un-contained, unfathomable, and unapologetic. A true manifestation of “our ancestors’ wildest dreams.” In her writing she explores the coming-of-age of an Afro-Dominican young woman who doesn’t feel Dominican enough, Black enough, Latina enough or Bronx enough. She hopes, as a person who often felt displaced or misplaced, yet grounded in her own identity, she is able to create a space for intergenerational connection, creation and transformation of literary bounds.
Poetic Rebirth
Haydil’s writing challenges ideas of belonging and home, all the while offering a battle cry for liberation. Her poetry explores the juxtaposition of collective memory and black erasure while creating a platform for a voice in its most transnational nature. Through this commitment to writing, transcending tongue, she prays she is able to use her time on this Earth to connect with communities of writers to allow genuine transformation and rebirth.
Past Poetry Performances
Obscura Open Mic | Feature
December 2022 | Lehman College | Bronx, New York
Obscura Literary and Arts Magazine end of the year open mic with featured performances from the inaugural Bronx Poet Laureate, Haydil Henriquez.
Silence Out Loud | Feature
December 2022 | PS/MS 4 | Bronx, New York
Silence Out Loud fused poetry and Hip-Hop for an immersive Bronx experience through literary arts! The showcase included sets from the inaugural Bronx Poet Laureate, Haydil Henriquez, the 2023 NYC Youth Poet Laureate, Stephanie Pacheco, poet and emcee Elliot Bless and Randy Mason!
Haydil Henriquez in Conversation with Willie Perdomo| Feature
September 2022 | Fordham University | Bronx, New York
The Bronx Poet Laureate, Haydil Henriquez, in conversation with the State Poet of New York, Willie Perdomo. Sponsored by Fordham University’s Office of Chief Diversity Officer & Community Engaged Learning.
¡Pa'lante! Issue 3 Launch Party | Published Author Feature
May 2022 | Virtual
One of seven featured readers for Issue 3 Launch Party of ¡Pa'lante! the English Department of Cerritos College online literary magazine. Haydil read to be dispensable (poetry) and Made in Bahia (fiction).
NYPL x Latinx in Publishing Happy Hour Poetry Reading | Featured Poet
APRIL 2022 | Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library | NEW YORK, NY
Featured reader along with Vincent Toro and Grisel Acosta.
WNYC | Feature
APRIL 2022 | Virtual | NEW YORK, NY
New York Public Radio featured How to Save Yourself, Divine, in audio and written form for the kick-off of Poetry Month.
The Bronx is Reading | Inaugural Bronx Poet Laureate
JUNE 2021 - June 2023 | In-Person | BRONX, NY
A two-year laureateship serving as a literary ambassador in the Bronx. Performances and workshops at over ten schools, community organizations and general public events. Partnerships with organizations and institutions like LatinX in Publishing, the Black Iris Project and Fordham University.
Poets House Emerging Poets Fellowship Reading | Poet Fellow Reader
May 2018 | Poets House | New York, NY
One of ten Poets House Fellows who co-created a zine and read poems created during the fellowship.
PEN America | Featured Poet
SEPTEMBER 2017 | Langston Hughes House | New York, NY
I, Too Arts Collective’s featured poet along with Trace DePass, Vincent Toro, Nkosi Nkululeko and Ellen Hagan.