January Gill O’Neil took a Swampscott Senior Center audience through a number of different worlds as she read them a variety of poems at a book signing on Tuesday, December 2.

O’Neil is an award-winning poet and a professor at Salem State University. She recently released her fourth book, Glitter Road, which details time she spent in Mississippi on a fellowship a half decade ago.

“It’s about learning the landscape, understanding the trauma and the legacy of the enslaved but there’s also a lot of beauty and joy there and I don’t want that to get lost,” O’Neil said.

O’Neil read poems about her family, experiences and interests while fielding questions and discussing a variety of topics with attendees in between poems.

O’Neil, a Virginia native and North Shore resident, said she first became intrigued with poetry during her time as a student at Old Dominion University. It is all about having the right teacher, she said.

“I look at the world around me,” said O’Neil regarding where she gets inspiration for her poetry. “I’m interested in our extraordinary ordinary lives. I notice the everyday and try to describe it so the reader can see it or hear it.”

O’Neil said a big part of her writing is trying to make readers more comfortable with poetry.

“This was a lovely crowd,” said O’Neil. “On a rainy December night they asked such good questions. I was thrilled.”

The event was hosted by Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity, a volunteer community group aimed at celebrating all aspects of human diversity. It was O’Neil’s first time partnering with S.U.R.E. Diversity but she said she hopes it is not the last.

“This community of sharing and conversation, I think we need more of it,” said O’Neil.

Keli Khatib, of S.U.R.E. Diversity, said events like this allow the community to hear more voices and introduce people to different aspects of diversity.

“This was amazing,” said Khatib. “We are thrilled to have January and hear her poetry.”