The RWC Writing Center was transformed into a candlelit, beatnik-filled caf as part of the Second Annual Poetry Coffeehouse held on Monday, April 28. Filled with the aroma of brewing coffee wafting in the air, students, faculty, and visitors alike were serenaded with the melodic strains of keyboard, guitar, and even the soulful notes of a tenor saxophone while hearing great poetry from a diverse group.And the poetry was as caffeinated and energetic as the coffee. Patrons were invited to participate in an open mic atmosphere to read their own original poetry or to recite a beloved poem. Director of Disability Services, John Kraimer, got into the act with his poem “Poem-A-Phobic,” declaring that “slamming John has just stepped out [of the closet].”
Buzzing with an air of excitement and electricity, rhyme and free verse was heard set to music by artists such as English Professor Mike Roos and was rapped out loud by students. The event even drew students from other UC campuses, the fame of RWC’s Poetry Coffeehouse spreading like the popularity of Starbuck’s brownie frappucino. Biotechnology major Teresa Kilpatrick claimed it was this “eclectic atmosphere and good music” that she liked best about the event.
In its second year, the Poetry Coffeehouse was deemed every bit a success. Designed to simulate the popular poetry coffeehouses that populate Cincinnati and Clifton, the event is aimed as part of the festivities for the National Poetry Month held each year in April.
English Professor and Coordinator of the event, Dr. Rhonda Pettit, hopes that the Poetry Coffeehouse will give students a chance for new experiences.
“A lot of students maybe wouldn’t do this on their own, wouldn’t have time to check it out or think they would like it but if they’re given the opportunity they might enjoy it and hear a lot of different kinds of poetry,” she stated, adding that the poetry heard in coffeehouses, “is not just the stuff in the classroom, not just the stuff the teacher says is good but you hear all kinds of voices doing all kinds of things.”
Dr. Pettit’s hopes seem to have been realized for several students attending the event. This was the very first poetry reading Early Pre-Childhood Education Major Dee Thomas has attended and she remarked, “I really enjoyed it. I really thought we had a diverse crowd and a distinct sound.” When asked what she got the most of out of the event, Dee replied excitedly, “I got exposed to a lot of raw talent that I think should be showcased.”
Nursing Major Karen Sanderson agrees. “I’m not a poet but I like what I heard,” she said.
As part of the ongoing month of activities celebrating the power of the poetic word, Raymond Walters sponsored a Poetry Contest with categories for high school students, faculty and staff, and RWC students. Dr. Sue Sipple, Dr. Tami Phenix, and Librarian Deborah Oswald had the hard task of judging the over 100 poems submitted by RWC students alone. As the suspense grew, the winners were announced:
Faculty/Staff Winners
* First Place: Leigh Hackney “A Poem Untitled”
* Second Place: Terri Maue “War Poem #2”
* Honorable Mention: Terri Maue “War Poem #1”
RWC Student Winners
* First Place: Amy Wong “Drive”
* Second Place: Darla Renner “Back Home”
* Third Place: Jessica Krawec “Adoration”
* Honorable Mentions: Sensaria Brinkman, Yuko Sasaki, and Kevin Doty.
“A lot of great poems were represented,” said Dr. Sipple, adding that she “enjoyed many of the poems.” The winners of the contest were selected because “they are poems that had some beautiful language, use of images, and a kind of emotion.”
When asked what she hoped students would walk away from the coffeehouse with above all, Dr. Pettit eagerly stated, “I hope that they enjoyed it enough to continue reading poetry. There are many different kinds of poems and I hope it helped to define the kind of poetry that speaks to them so that they can have a meaningful relationship with it.