National Poetry Month Celebration
Tuesday, April 15
Start Time: 4:00 PM
Eduardo Corral, Olive B. O'Connor Creative Writing Fellow at Colgate University, and members of his poetry writing workshop will read their own works and other favorite poems. Refreshments provided.
In their own words...
Margaret Brower is from Norwich, New York and intends to double major in international relations and education: "What interests me about poetry is the craft of the line, and my favorite part about writing poetry is using vivid imagery to describe common experiences. My favorite poets are Alan Ginsberg and Adrianne Rich because I am very interested in making the political personal and poetic. I first developed a taste for writing poetry when I was in middle school during an English poetry unit. Ever since this experience, I have begun the experience of finding my voice and my story in the written word. This workshop has changed me as a poet because it has started to broaden my craft and techniques in terms of the line."
Zack Craumer from Greenwich, CT, psychology major: "What interests me about poetry is that it uses language to its full potential; there are no limits to poetry. My favorite poets are: William Carlos Williams, so simple and so beautiful; Richard Brautigan, he is original, witty, and absurd; Anis Mojgani and Saul Williams (Slam Poets) they have passionate and untamed performances with beautiful imagery. I grew up being read poetry for bedtime stories, Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein. I remember thinking about how much I loved the freedom of poetry. Poetry workshop has made me realize how unique every poet can and should be. I also appreciate how much courage it takes to have your work put out for others to hear and read. The workshop has also given me a better understanding of language and how powerful of a tool it is.
Lizzy Kushner: "Being from Westchester, NY, I have grown fond of the upstate NY setting here at Colgate University. As a freshman, Colgate has already exposed me to many intriguing things; and though I am still undecided in regards to my major, I am truly savoring the investigative process. Taking a poetry class, however, has certainly made a lasting impression on me. Through analyzing writers' works and experimenting with my own, I have come to appreciate poetry's ability to promote personal creativity and expression. I plan to continue writing poems long after I graduate as poetry has become a therapeutic addition to my life."
"My name is Dan Lasker and I am an Economics major from Jamestown, NY. I am interested in poetry because it helps me with my songwriting and has made me better at using musical language in crafting a song. My favorite poets are John Keats and Terrence Hayes, because both, while very different, use beautiful language in crafting an image of what they want to convey. My interest in poetry began last summer when I began singing seriously and started to write my own songs; I try to make my lyrics as poetic as possible. This workshop has taught me that you are limited in writing a poem or song to the words you project. It is easy to personally be struck by something you write but to convey a message to the reader you really have to paint a situation as best you can and make everything you write relatable to the reader in some way."
Ethan Levitt: "I am from Los Angeles, CA and am currently considering math, philosophy and Econ as potential majors and concentrations. I enjoy poetry because I find it interesting how so much can be said with so few words. Poetry magnifies language and focuses in on each word in such a way that one must take each and every word choice into consideration when reading and writing poetry. I enjoy the challenge or trying to do so, and at seeing others do it. I am a fan of W.H. Auden's poetry as well as e.e. cummings. I started writing poetry at an early age, maybe 6th grade. I think I wrote one "good" one in 6th grade and one "good" one in 8th grade and then didn't really pick it up again until my junior and senior year of high school. The poetry workshop has served as a good forum for me to continue learning about poetry and to sharpen the poetry skills I have already started developing."
"My name is Shannon Luckey and I'm from Wantagh, New York. I am a freshman at Colgate University, majoring in Mathematics and Educational Studies. This poetry class with Professor Corral has changed my perception about poetry, and has shown me how truly talented some poets are at what they do. My favorite poem of all time is The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear."
Jess Morlando: "I am a first year student from Easton, Connecticut. I am currently undecided on a major but hopes to study Psychology. Teen angst first drove me to write poetry. My workshop experience has helped me further develop my poetry and I have found it rewarding to study different poetic styles and subject matter."
Greg Rittchen: "I've spent the last nine years living in Madison, Connecticut. I'm interested in film, writing, and the sciences. I write poetry because I find it a good way to reach Truth. I like Dylan Thomas. He was very real while maintaining a beautiful quality of work. Late at night when I was 15 or 16 I wrote my first poem for lack of a better way to express myself. At the time I didn't realize I was writing poetry, it kind of just flowed. The poetry workshop has opened my eyes to different genres and styles of poetry that I would not otherwise have been exposed to. It has allowed me to compare my work to the work of others, something I had never done before."
Johnny Roche from Clifton Park, NY, major undeclared: "Poetry interests me because it's the manipulation of words, sounds, and ideas, which in the end, add up to something unique and engaging. My favorite poet would have to be Terrance Hayes because every poem that I've read written by him has fascinated me. I first became interested in poetry in high school, when I am was in a creative writing class. I liked how I could write whatever I pleased, it felt good to solidify my ideas. I would not call myself a poet yet, seeing as how I've only written about eight, but I do feel that Professor Corral has placed me on the right track to becoming a poet."
Emma Sholl: "I am from Wauwatosa, WI and I have not declared my major, but I think I will be majoring in English. I like poetry because I am very creative, and I like the unstructured writing style. I haven't really studied poetry before, so I feel that I am not well read enough to pick a favorite poet yet. I never wrote poetry before this class and I picked this class because I am creative, like writing, and I knew it would be an engaging class because it wouldn't be the typical lecture style classroom. I think participating in workshop has made me more confident in sharing my poetry, which can be personal."
Lisa Sprinzen: "I am from Los Angeles California and intend to major in biology. I enjoy poetry due to its artistic qualities that allow for emotional expression. I only recently realized my appreciation for poetry and have not read enough poems to pick a favorite poet. Musical lyrics introduced me to the poetic world. Because I have just started writing poetry I feel the workshop has helped me immensely through peer critique of myself and others."
Elliott Wall: "I am from Chicago, IL and I am currently undecided as to which major I will pursue. The freedom and musical flow of poetry is really what drew me into poetry. Terrance Hayes is currently my favorite poet. His poetry is so chill and natural. The Writing Workshop has given me the necessary tools to widen my horizons."
Sebastian Wood: "This is my second year at Colgate, and I come from Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. I recently decided to major in Computer Science, but have always enjoyed writing creatively. Poetry has presented me with a new challenge in that it not only requires the ability to craft powerful images and concepts, but also the ability to be personal and expressive. This is a particularly challenging task, and the workshop has exposed me to this in a whole new way. My favorite poet is Scott Speck, who writes with an element of science fantasy and whose work has a surreal nature."
