Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Shiho Itooka Stephen Meats, chairman of the English Department, reads one of his poems during the Distinguished Visiting Writers Series on Thursday, Feb. 28.

More than 50 people gathered in the Governors Room in the Overman Student Center, coffees andanotebooks in hand, for a faculty poetry reading on Thursday night, Feb. 28, as part of the Distinguished Visiting Writers Series.

Conversations about writing and poetry before the readings started set the open tone of the event.

Featured were professors Laura Lee Washburn, director of creative writing in the English Department, and Stephen E. Meats, English professor and department chair, both of whom read their poetry from their published works, as well as some newer pieces.

"I loved it," said Josh Davis, first year graduate student. "Laura and Dr. Meats are incredible. They're funny and kind and human."

Davis also has both professors as teachers this year.

Washburn read first, starting with a section titled "Devil's Night" from her book "Watching the Contortionist." Washburn says her book overlays spooky images with relationship themes.

In choosing her poems to read, Washburn says some were additions to the re-release of her book "The Good Warm Place: Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition."

"I have given a few readings, so I did not want the same things," Washburn said. "I wanted to read some new poems. I also have to see if they are readable, figure out what's transferable."

Ranging from narratives of her "mammaw" to poems referencing Jesus, Mac computers, and Poseidon, Washburn gave introductory explanations to her poetry so the audience could follow.

With her writing covering a variety of subjects, Washburn says she has found it hard to describe her poetry.

"I don't," Washburn said. "It's very hard. They are literary, contemporary, free verse. I can't sum it up, though."

Some students went to the reading for a class and said they liked what they heard.
"I really enjoyed it; they have different perspectives," said Lexie Raitinger, undeclared freshman, whose English teacher offered extra credit for attending. "I liked Washburn's poems. They were really detailed and descriptive."

Meats describes his poetry as imaginistic and filled with images of nature. Meats likes to write on love, death, loss and beauty.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools