Poet on the Go
Taking advantage of opportunities
I feel like every time I sit down to write a newsletter for you all, I have nothing good to say. I like to keep the rhythm of updating everyone biweekly, but it’s beginning to feel a bit robotic to me. Whenever I feel like this, though, I try to remind myself that there are so many big and small exciting things going on that I should share. The whole point of my sharing is that I want to show the full picture of my growth and experiences as a poet and just an aspiring artist. So here are a few fun things that have happened:
I did typewriter poetry on the spot for the first time. I wrote poems randomly for whoever walked past and wanted one, and did it using a typewriter. It was an incredibly liberating and exciting experience. I have not stopped thinking about it since, and am already silently begging anyone who will listen to ask me to do it again.
I went to another Noble Quills open mic and felt properly ushered into the Halloween spirit. We wrote poems using a prompt that provided us with phrases commonly associated with Memento Mori, as well as the Poet’s Cauldron prompts. We had moody lighting and such excitement in the space, and I was just reminded of how much I’m going to miss this space when I graduate. It’s been so welcoming and impactful in helping me find my voice, and I’m just very grateful.
Speaking of Poet’s Cauldron! I solidified plans with the team to be a spot on their tour! I’ll be reading poems that are going to be published in their book at the end of the month. The date will be Wed, Nov 12, from 6:30-8 pm. I am absolutely ecstatic to get my hands on this wonderful collection of spooky poems, and you all should be too. It’s such a wonderful celebration of dedicating ourselves to our craft through the practice of daily writing and embracing the darker parts of ourselves.
I fell down the rabbit hole into the world of theatre and volunteered with Touchstone Theatre for their event titled “Alice in Informationland.” I knew very little going into this and was absolutely blown away. I got to usher people into the Queen’s Court and watched as children, students, and adults were equally filled with enthusiasm for this immersive experience.
I was inducted into the International English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta! This was a big deal for me! I’ll be celebrating with a long weekend (aka fall break)….
Most recently, I attended a lecture by Karen Hao, who is the author of Empire of AI. I was incredibly flattered to have been one of a few students invited to a pre-dinner with her as well. I’m still learning more and more about the nuances of AI, so it felt like a shock to be invited, but it was incredibly fascinating to listen to what everyone had to say. Hao spoke in a way that was very clear and engaging, and I’m excited to get the chance to dive into her book (which the library provided for free!).
And I have so many more events to look forward to! Easton Book Festival starts next week, and I can’t wait to take advantage of all the different offerings. I will be hosting the open mic on Saturday, Oct 18, from 5-6 at Book & Puppet with the English club. We will have a special focus on young artists, but all are welcome to attend and read/perform. Earlier that day, I will also be at Chilifest in Bethlehem, selling some books and exercising my marketing muscle!
The most exciting part of all of this to me is that the only reason I have these opportunities is because of the communities I’ve been welcomed into (Lehigh Valley Poetry Community, Parisian Phoenix Publishing, Lafayette) and put all of myself into. We talk about how it takes a village, and it truly has been the support of these communities and my family, and my friends that have gotten me to where I am today.
I am eternally grateful and just generally excited that I get to keep doing this for the rest of my life. I am a poet and filmmaker, and artist, and everywhere I go, I will continue to build these communities and find these opportunities. Sometimes it may be harder than others, but if I can do this all while still being a student, I’d like to believe that I can do it post-graduation.