TCH News

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News

Media Credit: http://frankfinale.com

"The poems kind of float off of the page and into your eyes," stated Sander Zulauf, a native New Jersey poet and one of the editors of THE POETS OF NEW JERSEY, as he began his introduction to SCCC's Betty June Silconas Idiom Reading Series 2007-2008.

The Friday night series featured Catherine Doty, Gloria Rovder Healy, BJ Ward, Gretna Wilkinson, and Sander Zulauf. They read their works in the SCCC library to an audience of more than two dozen.

Each poet not only read his or her works, but also provided narratives about their own poetry as well as the works of others. Some poets became characters in personal tales, while others relayed provocative anecdotes of the past. Many of their stanzas were greeted by echoed laughter or tears from the convivial crowd.

Numerous "wows" were whispered among the audience as the poets recited some of their melodic conclusions before welcoming the next speaker.

Every inspired listener had a smile on his or her face that remained until the two hours of recitations were over.

When the poets were asked why they agreed to come to share their poetry, BJ Ward, the recipient of a Pushcart Prize for Poetry explained, "It is amazing to have people that want to listen."

Once the session concluded, SCCC Adjunct Professor Jean Leblanc said, "I had a wonderful time; I enjoyed all of the different voices."

This sentiment was echoed by first-year SCCC student, Jonathan Petry, who said, "I thought this was very insightful, I like that you can listen and learn from the poets."

There was no rush to get to the door after these poets had finished; all the attention was focused on talking directly to those responsible for the room full of overwhelming inspiration.

"I thought the poetry reading was very interesting," said Mary Greenfeder, a dramatic arts major at SCCC. "I had never been to one before and if they offered another with similar talent, I would definitely go again."

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