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The Library hosted the second
in what is anticipated to be a popular ongoing series of Poetry
Coffee Houses on July 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Library’s
upstairs lounge. Coffee and refreshments were served at this
event featuring Professor Peter Scheponik’s Summer I
Poetry Class. Special guest, adjunct instructor of English,
Professor Stanley Warren, opened the session. He spoke to
the group about poetry and the creative process, before reading
several of his poems including “Abstractions”,
a poem that pokes fun at the concept of analyticity; “All
the Live Long Day”, a love poem; and “Hydrogen”,
a poem about the cosmos and the self.
Following Warren’s readings, students read selections
of their original compositions as well as works by their favorite
poets. Some very memorable moments include a reading of Don
McLean’s “Vincent”, a poem celebrating the
life of the famous Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Accompanying
the reading was a recording of McLean’s guitar music
played by the student’s husband. Several prints of VanGogh’s
work were posted on the glass panels as visual accompaniment
to the reading. The student, Jennifer Moulton-Burros, later
read, with the assistance of another student, Connie Gallagher,
a poem she composed for two voices entitled “The Song
of the Daffodil.” Connie Gallagher also read a poem
she had composed about her adopted Chinese daughter entitled
“Chinese History.” Another student, Andrew Demarco,
dramatically hopped onto one of the large tables in the lounge
to present a theatrical reading of one of Tolkien’s
poems from the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings.”
Saundra Day read a poem she had written about a lynching as
well as a poem she had composed about her baby daughter. Another
student read her poem describing the steadfast love between
a parent and child.
Collectively, the readings spanned a range of emotions –
from serious and poignant to joyful and humorous. It was wonderful
to see the camaraderie shared by this group of students, who
did not know each other prior to meeting through this class,
and the genuine interest they exhibited in each other’s
work. For those in attendance, it was enriching not only as
a wonderful celebration of poetry but as a tribute to the
talents of our students. We look forward to hosting the next
Poetry Coffee House as well as other events here at the Library,
as we work to enhance the Library’s role as an intellectual
and cultural center on campus.
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