The New Exponent

By Elizabeth Bowers
Assistant Editor

An exciting event for all lovers of poetry occurred on Thursday, January 28, in the student theater located in Sherman Hall.  This convocation was an open-mike hit, where many students—and even a teacher or two—stood in front of the small but significant audience and read a poem or three.  Some read poems of their own design; others read poetry by well-known and loved poets.

This poetry reading was put together and sponsored by the Literary Magazine, “Springs of Helicon.”  Dr. Schiavoni started off the event by saying a few words about poetry to psych up the audience for the next hour or so.  The night began with a dismal poem of black humor by 18^th century poet Thomas Hardy. 

Throughout the rest of the event, listeners heard from many famous poets from the past, including the loved and mysterious Edgar Allen Poe.  The attendees also witnessed the poetry of many budding poets—some of the students’ own poetry.

There were sad poems and scary poems, funny and dark, hopeful and sinister.  And when the hour was over, Dr. Schiavoni said a few parting words, quoted some well-known poets, and released the attending students and teachers into the night, each with his or her own appreciation of poetry enhanced in some way.