Penscape

Last night I went to watch graduate student's read poetry, fiction, and creative non fiction aloud. I was extremely excited to go because I write a little bit of poetry myself and I love to read it or hear it. However, I don't think I could ever gather up the courage like those graduate student's did to read their somewhat personal memories with so many people. It was very inspiring and at times reminded me of a few of the things that I have written.

There were few items of writing that stuck with me the most. Cole Ferrell's creative nonfiction piece called "Homecoming" stuck with me the most because I have a friend who is struggling with what he struggled with. I loved his story and it really touched me. Sarah Sandman also had great pieces of poetry. Her poems stuck with me because when she was reading her poems she brought them to life. The last reader Rachel Hartley-Smith read three pieces of creative nonfiction, "The Terminal", "Figuring Diameter", and "Boy and Sun" (I think). Her readings also hit home. Again I have had friends go through what she did in High School and hearing her personal experience made me realize that they were probably feeling the very same way. The last reader that stuck out to me was my very own teacher David DiSarro. Not just because he was my teacher, but because his poems seemed very heartfelt. He talked about how some of his poems were depressing and I think most poets have depressing poems because it's their way of letting things out; I believe it's how they express themselves. I thought his greatest piece was what he called his "hallmark" piece called (correct me if I'm wrong) "For HCD". I felt like there was a lot of emotion put into that piece and it was very inspiring.

I want to thank all of the graduate student's who read their great pieces of writing because I'm sure it takes a lot to get up in front of people (most of whom you don't know) and share personal experiences through writing. It was a great experience and I got a lot out of going.