Forgot to tell ya about the poetry for peace!!

Hey all, must have slipped my mind with all these finals but I was able to go the last poetry for peace of the semester and forgot to write about my experience! I was a bit disappointed, to be honest, that more people were not there. I guess I had always envisioned it being pretty full and a bit more participation. I haven't been able to attend one of the events yet because of my schedule but I was able to get this afternoon off. Though it was not a big crowd (actually only 7 of us, five of us being from our class!) I thought it was a nice way to spend your afternoon. Since Theo couldn't be there that afternoon we had a stand in (his name slips my mind) but he read a few of his pieces to us and kind of set the "theme" of the afternoon as home. I really liked his poems, they read like a story and very fluidly. His voice was also a very interesting balance of passion and energy as well as calmness.
After he read a few poems he encouraged us to read anything we had brought with us. I actually didn't really know it was a read aloud kind of thing, so I hadn't planned on bringing anything. However, I happened to have my computer with me and pulled up a poem I had recently written for our class. I read a poem that I thought pertained to the theme of home as it was about a moment that my mom and I shared at home together. I read it aloud, and I thought it was so fun! It was nice to just read something that I had written, just for the sake of reading it! One other person read an original poem and then a couple people read some of his poems and other published poems. I thought it turned out to be quite a nice, intimate setting which was relaxing. Though I had kind of initially wished there were more people there, it turned out to be pretty nice in the end.
One of my friends had been to the poetry for peace events in the past and also came with me on this day. She told me that the last time she went (sometime last year) it was completely packed! Some people even had to stand in the back. Some classes and departments were participating in it as part of a class and things like that so there was a lot of participation. She said it was a very interesting and exciting environment to be a part of. I thought that this was a great idea, to have different departments get involved in the process and participate. I think it would actually serve as a great fundraiser as well! Perhaps different groups on campus and different departments could get involved and read and donate proceeds to a larger organization promoting peace on some level. I think if I were to give any suggestions for how to expand the program and make it more successful in the future I would just say to promote it! Advertise it and inquire individually within departments and programs on campus. I think the event is a wonderful idea and a fun experience no matter who shows up, but there is definitely room for improvement! All in all, poetry for peace was nice and I think I will make an effort to attend more next semester!

Poetry for Peace, December 8th 2009

The last poetry for piece that took place on December 8th was in truth the first I had ever seen at SLU. Despite hearing about them first semester, I was never really informed on when they occurred, how they were run, or where they were located. Finally getting to chance to see one, even if it was in an attempt to complete the blog assignment for class was very interesting. Although, there were only around eight of us who actually came and even less of us who had poetry to read. I thought the event was an overall good attempt of bringing some more artistic expression on campus. I also thought the theme of home was a great a idea, and I loved all the varying poems read about making your way back home, finding your own home within yourself, etc. However the conversations we as group were having at the end of a very short string of readings really got me thinking.

People were talking about previous poetry slams they had gone to, the excitement and the thrill that students and other everyday poets alike put into their works trying to win over the audience and above all have fun. Inevitably the conversation turned into how Canton feels so secluded and empty and how students really need don’t leave campus for events. These conversations got me into thinking of what it would take to get that same type of poetry thrill and following here at SLU. Although I thought the poetry for peace was nice, it clearly isn’t drawing big crowds or really anyone new. My thoughts on how to make it better would be to one publicize it more, push for anyone on campus to come including faculty and staff through banners and colorful posters. But most importantly if you want a following or attention it must be made more accessible and noticeable. My idea would be to make these poetry for peace readings take place where the average student can see them and take part in them or at the very least know that they exist. Maybe try booking the Winston room, Sykes formal lounge, etc. I think if this event was more out in the open, perhaps more people would participate and then bigger events could be planned. Just my thoughts

Poetry for Peace, December 8th

That was the third Poetry for Peace event that I have been to while at SLU. They all have been pretty small, which is a pity. Last spring there was a poetry slam at Brewer Bookstore, and think events like that should maybe be held in the Student Center or integrated more into Open Mic Nights at Java and Pub 56, because really good readings and slams can be absolutely electrifying. I love hearing people read their own work, because it really gives you a better sense of how a poem is in its most organic form, the way that the poet originally heard it. At the December 8th Poetry for Peace we were talking a bit about how poetry reading really is a performance art, and in thinking about that I've come to the conclusion that that aspect of the craft is underpracticed. Dylan was saying how she feels uncomfortable reading aloud or performing her poetry, and I used to be exactly the same way. It really is all about practicing, and the more you read it out loud, the easier and more fun it gets.
With some poets, I actually like their work better alound than on the page...for instance, some free verse poems look so stiff and choppy on the page, but performed get a rhythm that doesn't come across in reading.
I want to practice performing poems, especially my own, since I don't read those aloud as often. I think poetry readings add an entirely new dimension to the art, and maybe its just St. Lawrence, but that dimension seems underrated. I also think reading aloud (judging from our workshops) helps me identify changes I want to make in my poems, helps me polish my work. Attending the Poetry for Peace readings motivates me to explore the various facets of poetry a bit more, "expand my horizons", so to speak.
Pray for snow!!

Poetry For Peace Poetry Reading Review

In the poetry for peace poetry reading today (December 8, 2009), the subject was ‘home” or returning home. The poet read some of his poems, one about children taking the bus home. In that poem, the narrator discusses how they didn’t want to go on the bus with the picture of the “deer” on it, choosing to go instead on the bus with the clown on it. The narrator ends up getting on the wrong bus because of their preference for the “clown” bus over the “deer” bus. I really liked how the author wrote his poems. He wrote in a very casual style that really made it easy to listen to. The way in which the author read his poem furthered the casual and relaxed diction of the poem. It was a very small poetry reading, with only about seven people. I had expected the reading to be in the large auditorium for some reason, and expected there to be a full line up of poets ready to read their pieces. If I had known it was going to be so small, I would brought one of my poems to read. I really like the “going home” subject as it really strikes a cord with many people. Its an interesting concept to think about because the subject of home is often dominated by images of places and scenery, but in reality it seems to me that “home” is not necessarily the physical environment but the people and memories that one associates with home. Questions about “home” and belonging are more complex than many people might imagine. If I had brought a poem with me to read, it would have been my villanelle titled I Know I’m Home When…, which discusses my perceptions of home. In my poem, I also focused on returning home, but not in a physical way. Coming home is returning to those whom you love and care about, and not necessarily the physical surroundings. One can be at “home” without actually literally being at one’s home. As long as one is near those whom they associate with home then one may even be “home” while in a new place.

Poetry Reading Event

I went to my first poetry reading event on Tuesday, December 8 at the Brush Art Gallery. There were only seven students there including myself, and a man by the name of John BerbrichI . .. He read a few pieces from his book of poetry called 'Balancing Act'. The theme of his poems was 'home'. I feel this is a great theme for writing because everyone knows how safe and reassuring their own home can be. Home gives people a sense of belonging and meaning. This is especially the case for college students who are away from their family and childhood friends for the very first time. For myself, being 3,000 miles from home, and in a different country, home is much more than a four-letter word. He had a very distinct style of writing. His poems were all free verse, and told a vivid story. I had no trouble following along with his thoughts as he read his pieces aloud to us. Story telling is definitely a gift. To be able to captivate an audience with only words and a voice is an impressive skill. I have not yet gained the confidence to read my poetry aloud to people, but a few of my peers did. Courtney Hendrick read a piece about her mother and her, which was a gorgeous poem she read with great feeling and expression. I could picture the two of them and was nostalgic about my own mother and I. I find it off that I am nervous to read my own pieces aloud, and yet I will write a song and sing it as I play the piano. I guess the reason could be because poetry is new to me, and I don't have any background music to take attention away from my voice, or the words I am saying.
The reading was a good experience and I do intend to attend ml .

Reflections on this semester...

It really is amazing how time goes by so fast. I knew that eventually this hectic time, with finals and papers, would arrive, but it just got here so fast... but I must say, I have noticed how much my classmates and I have developed as poets, both through our discussions about the poems assigned and through our workshop sessions. I feel as though I have gained greater insight about the world we live in by reading a variety of works by different poets, and reading all of these poems has expanded my capacity for thought and my receptivity to what happens in the world around me. I really enjoy thinking of new things to write about every day, and this class has taught me to create even more abstract images to convey a myriad messages/commentary, or to express my emotions.

Looking back on my experience with this class, I can honestly say I am really going to miss working with my lovely workshop group. All of you hold a love for words, and looking back in retrospect, I enjoyed reading all of your work and making comments on what I liked and what I felt could be changed or improved. This, in turn, has allowed me to become more comfortable with giving others criticisms about their writing, and I do not feel shy of saying what I think about a certain piece. I really appreciate all of the comments I have received from both my workshop group and Professor Hummer. These comments are so helpful (especially for revising my poetry that I want to include in my final chapbook). Anyway, I just want to wish everyone best of luck on finals, and I hope you all find some form of relaxation as the semester concludes!

LAST CLASS?!

This is crazy!! I cannot believe the semester is almost over and that we already had our real last class. I loved our last exercise though. It was such a good ending to the semester. Playing a writing game of telephone really showed us how much we have grown as a group together. We have all gone through the process of pointing out our negatives and trying to fix them and now we finally got to do it together, even if it was just for fun. We had such a great chemistry throughout the whole class, everyone respected everyone, and that has not happened in any of my classes this year, or possibly throughout college. This whole semester has been a process in not only figuring out how to become a better writer but become a better thinker, and I really do feel like I have grown. I have become a better thinker in the fact that I take care in the little things, and try and understand why I am doing things, not just go through the motions. I feel like each day is a poem in itself and I need to cherish them and begin to find myself. I know that I will go on writing poetry, as I always have, but in a new light. I will miss all of you so much!! YAY FOR POETRY!