Renowned poet and author Ocean Vuong visited CT State Community College Manchester to read from his powerful collection Time is a Mother. The event drew a captivated crowd, all eager to hear Vuong’s deeply personal reflections and the tender yet unflinching voice that has made him a literary sensation.

Vuong’s reading was a moving journey through themes of grief, resilience, and the unbreakable ties of family. His words painted vivid images of loss and love, of mourning his late mother while finding new ways to honor her spirit. The poet shared that Time is a Mother, which is the Manchester Common Read for this school year, is a testament to survival—the art of growing tender and defiant in a world that asks us to harden.

Beyond his poetry, Vuong offered a vital message for young writers and creatives, especially those navigating the pressures of higher education. He encouraged students to use their time at community college to explore their curiosity and think expansively about their futures.

“I think having a vision and a desire—knowing who you are, knowing what you want to do in the world, and then asking of the degrees or the professionalization or the medium, ‘How does the medium help express that?’ rather than ‘How do I conform to the mediums or the profession?’” he said.

The appearance started with Vuong receiving an honorary degree from Manchester presented by Dean June Dunn. Reflecting on his own experience, Vuong, who attended classes at Manchester several years ago, acknowledged the stigma that often surrounds community colleges.

“There’s a kind of baggage that comes to community college,” he said. “But in retrospect, I was in the middle of the world, and it was the best preparation for me to not only be a creative writer but a professor.”

Now a professor himself at New York University, Vuong credited his time at community college for shaping his artistic and teaching journey.

Vuong’s wisdom reminds us that our education should serve our dreams, not the other way around. His words hold special significance for aspiring creatives who might feel pressured to conform. Instead, Vuong calls on them to stay true to their vision and let curiosity guide their paths.

For more information about the Common Read program visit https://library.ctstate.edu/timeisamother.