Years of poetry written quietly — often between professional and community commitments — came to fruition as Tony Iovino, longtime library advocate and former Oceanside Library director, celebrated the launch of his first poetry collection, “From the Land of Sidewalks and Lawns,” on Jan. 18.
The event, held at the Oceanside Library, blended spoken word and live music, reflecting the structure and spirit of the book itself. Iovino read selections from his collection while Oceanside residents Alison and Mark Eriksen performed acoustic songs chosen to mirror the book’s three thematic sections: family and friends, travel, and philosophy.
For Iovino, the publication marked the culmination of a creative journey that began later in life.
“When I started the summer gazebo readings back in 2007, I hadn’t written a poem since third grade,” Iovino said, crediting East Meadow resident and poet Judy Turek for pushing him to write. “She’s mentored dozens of poets over the years, and she wouldn’t let me off the hook.”
Over time, those occasional poems accumulated. Iovino estimated that he had written hundreds, with 40 to 50 published in anthologies and literary magazines. Encouraged repeatedly to assemble them into a single volume, he finally did so, editing and revising older work along the way.
“I realized I had all of these poems scattered everywhere,” Iovino said. “Magazines come and go. Online journals disappear. I wanted something permanent — something in one place.”
“From the Land of Sidewalks and Lawns” is organized into three sections. Poems inspired by family and friends form the first; the second draws from Iovino’s travels, including trips to New Orleans, Paris, Arizona and Wyoming; and the final section, which he describes as philosophical, reflects on everyday encounters and formative moments.
“Some of those poems come from very small things,” Iovino explained, “a panhandler I met in Washington, D.C., or a memory from when I was a kid and didn’t listen to someone’s advice on how to mow the lawn. Those moments stick with you.”
Essays accompany each section, offering context for the poems, including a longer piece on how the library’s well-known gazebo poetry readings began.
Iovino said his writing style has evolved over the years but remains intentionally accessible.
“I don’t write very esoteric poetry,” Iovino expressed. “I like to sprinkle in humor where I can. And reading poems out loud — especially during community readings — teaches you very quickly what works and what doesn’t.”
That awareness shaped the book launch itself, which alternated music and poetry. Before each section, the Eriksens performed two songs aligned with the book’s themes. Their set included “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, “The Story” by Brandi Carlile, “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas and “Across the Universe” by the Beatles.
“Music has a way of taking you to a different place and different time,” Alison, who has been a longtime friend of Iovino’s, said. “It really helped emphasize the emotion behind the meaning of family, the wonder of travel and existential philosophy.”
The Eriksens, who have played music together for nearly two decades, said participating in the launch was deeply meaningful.
“Tony has been in my life for many years — always showing up, always supporting others and making things happen,” Alison said. “To be able to sing alongside him and be part of the group that heard his published words first was truly an honor.”
For Iovino, seeing the book in print carried personal significance beyond its literary content. The cover features a photograph of himself as a toddler with his mother, taken in the late 1950s.
“My mother and I were very close,” Iovino explained. “The title of the book reflects suburban life — Massapequa, Island Park, Rockville Centre — places that shaped me. That photo felt like the beginning of it all.”
Despite the personal nature of the work, Iovino said the book’s purpose is outward facing. All proceeds from sales are being donated to the Friends of the Oceanside Library.
“Every book sold in person goes entirely to the Friends,” he said. “Even online sales, whatever I receive, gets passed along. It’s a way to give back.”
Iovino, who helped establish the Friends organization locally and remains active with it, said supporting creative confidence is just as important as fundraising.
“People, especially young people, are afraid to fail,” Iovino said. “If you’re not failing, you’re not stretching. Writing is rewriting. You have to submit. You have to read your work out loud. That’s how you get better.”
Alison echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of showing up creatively for others.
“I love that we can use music to celebrate people,” she expressed. “Tony has helped me with so many community projects over the years. Saying yes to this was easy.”
The night reflected what Iovino has long championed — art rooted in place, shared community and created without fear.
“If you wait until it’s perfect,” he said, “you’ll never put it out there.”
