New U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic opens the Library of Congress’ literary season tonight with a reading from his own works of poetry. [IMGCAP(1)]

The reading starts at 6:45 p.m. in the Montpelier Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building.

So far, the city poet is keeping mum about the selection of works he’ll be reading from. “I’m like the piano player at your favorite bar. I tickle the ivories, look over the customers and then decide what I feel like playing,” Simic said.

The event, which kicks off the Library’s 2007-2008 literary season, marks Simic’s second time inside the Beltway. He appeared at the National Book Festival in September.

The MacArthur Fellowship and Pulitzer Prize winner was nominated to replace fellow New Hampshire poet Donald Hall as laureate.

— Anna Palmer