International Poetry Night at Glenwood Branch Library

On Tuesday night, the Glenwood Branch held its “Passport to Poetry: International Poetry Night” program. And we had an absolute blast! Fifty people attended the event and we had approximately 20 people sign-up to read poetry by writers from all over the world. Attendees heard poetry in Croatian, Spanish, English, Vietnamese, Chinese as well as poetry by writers from every corner of the globe. A few highlights:

1) A woman named Shyamalee Murugesu who is from Sri Lanka and visiting only for one week came to share her poem. She wrote the poem in recognition of the Native American struggle for identity and freedom in the United States.
2) For those participants who came without a poem, we entice them by posting poetry (in English translation) on colorful sheets around the room. People could pick a poem to read. An older woman read a poem, called “Rain” and dedicated it to her husband. It literally brought him to tears!
3) Graciela Kellar, a GW staffer did a SLAMMIN’ rendition of one her favorite poems in Spanish.
4) Martha Robinson, another GW staffer, WORKED a bilingual poem called “Why Do Men Wear Earrings on One Ear” by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr.
5) Newlywed Dheval Gosai (brother-in-law of GW staffer Sonal) read a poem in honor of his wife who is currently living in India.
6) A woman (whose name escapes me) was oh so nervous but made it through two poems and later remarked that she was thrilled to have participated in the event…despite her nerves about getting up in front of an audience.
7) Our two door prizes (international poetry anthologies) went to a teenager from the Glenwood neighborhood named Ricardo Johnson III and Kathy Hinshaw (a former ESOL learner from Peru, whose mother is a poet).

I could go on. But I won’t. Still, I just wanted to send a “shout out,” “mad props,” and MANY THANKS to all the GW staff members and AmeriCorps Members who helped to make this program such a success. You all ROCK! Thanks for a perfect, poetical night!

Comments

[Roch Smith, Sr.]

I'm very pleased to see that a first ever GSO Poetry event is scheduled for April 17. I am surprised that Mark Smith-Soto, a prize-winning poet and former long-time editor of THE INTERNATIONAL POETRY REVIEW was not included in your gallery of distinguished poets.

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