On April 29th, Sewanhaka held an open poetry event in the library. Dozens of poets and poetry-enthusiasts came together to recite their favorite poems in front of a crowd. A wide range of poems were recited, from poems about existentialism and philosophical topics to poems about sports, scenery, and love. And in the classy atmosphere of the night, the audience was encouraged to snap to show appreciation for poems (instead of clapping).
Mr. Curiale organized the poetry night event, and when prompted about the experience, he said “It was terrific. I thought it was great, it was a nice turnout—and honestly, every time that I listen to young people read I am full of just joy and hope and the desire to go and write myself.” Though he stated that he doesn’t have a singular favorite poem out of all the poems recited, he loves when he’s surprised by poetry—particularly thoughtful poems that reveal unknown sides of the author. He was especially surprised this year, stating that he was “blown away by how mature and serious and really, really good” the poems were.
For example, senior Bree Leonard presented deeply reflective poems about her brother moving away for college when she was young and reminiscing on her childhood via her old toys. She states that she chose these poems in particular because “they relate to my life and my personal experiences, and in order to write a good poem I felt like I needed to draw inward so I could write whatever I want outward”. As Bree explained, creating original poetry is ultimately a projection of the author’s personality, thoughts, and experiences onto ink and paper. Sharing poetry can be an intimate experience and a great way to learn about others.
Another poet, Kieran Simon, wrote a beautiful poem dedicated to the color red. He shared that his inspiration for the poem came from reading a poem about apple juice. In the same way that he was inspired by a poem about apple juice, one of the biggest benefits of Sewanhaka poetry night is that it serves as a catalyst to inspire future generations of poets. And hopefully Sewanhaka poetry night will continue to foster love for poetry for many years to come!
