Poetry Reading by Rita Dove
Hanan DuVerney, staff writer
On Dec. 1, Professor of English Jennifer Koster and the Creative Writing Club hosted a former United States Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Rita Dove on stage in the Dickinson Building.
There was a good turn out for the poetry reading on Thursday evening. The community was treated to a selection of poems read aloud by Dove.
Her eloquent speech and use of imagery yielded a crowd reaction worthy of a renowned poet. The awe-inspiring words of Dove set the tone for that evening’s atmosphere.
Dove’s work encompasses a range of topics including race, sex, politics, food, and her travel experiences, showing the immense versatility in her writing. Like many poets and other literary greats that reflect on history, Dove hasn’t shied away from more sensitive material. The audience had the opportunity to listen to her read from the 1983 collection Museum.
The poem “Parsley” touches on the dark past of the island of Hispaniola, set in the year 1937. The choice of language helped the audience visualize the atrocities committed by the regime of the Dominican dictator Trujillo. The moving reaction from the audience credited the power of her words.
Dove has a knack for being able to articulate experiences in ways that relate to the reader. This literary skill is pertinent to the success of any author, especially a poet. Rita choses common motifs that resonate with her audience. “Golden Oldie” is a poem bursting with imagery: “I made it home early, only to get / stalled in the driveway-swaying / at the wheel like a blind pianist caught in a tune / meant for more than two hands playing.”
Having Dove read and answer questions from the audience was an exceptional experience orchestrated by the PVCC faculty.
Following the poetry reading, a reception was held with Soul Food desserts provided by the Black Student Alliance (BSA) Club, and prepared by Mouth Wide Open, a Street Eat co-owned and operated by English department faculty member Dr. Justin Wert. Those in attendance were able to refresh themselves with great food and socialization; this capped off a great evening of poetry.
