The Voice

Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: Inside WCC

Media Credit: Jennifer DeMoss Student Michael Moriarty recites his energetic, original work at WCC's first ever poetry reading.

Although most of the crowd in Barnes and Noble were selling books that day, it's doubtful they could have ignored Michael Moriarty's confident cadence above the din. Moriarty was standing at a microphone near the entrance, reciting original poetry to a small but enthusiastic crowd at the school's first ever poetry reading, hosted by the school bookstore.

Tom Zimmerman, Writing Center Director, poet (check out the WCC publication "poets at the crossroads" featuring his poem "White"), and head of the school's Poetry Club, organized the event in order to raise student interest in the written and spoken word.

"My goal with the Poetry Club is to create a community of poets here at WCC," wrote Zimmerman in an email. "We'll have meetings, share work, create new work, have readings around campus (and possibly the community), work together with other WCC student clubs, and possibly create some publications."

Bookstore manager Keith Bearup, who connected with Zimmerman for National Poetry Month in April, said that the reading was, "a small start, and something we will try to move and expand." Readings can give poets a public space in order to get feedback on their work.

"There's a lot of talent here if we can tap into it," said Bearup.

Moriarty was the reading's main act, due to his copious amount of memorized poems. Zimmerman, Bearup, and students Zachary Baker and Laurie Feldt also read at the meeting.

"It was so empowering," said Bearup. "I wanted to keep reading."

Zimmerman and Bearup hope to host another poetry reading at the beginning of the fall semester.

In order to promote National Poetry Month, Bearup ordered several poetry books, including one by Chilean author Pablo Neruda, and a book by Nikki Giovanni, who was recently in the spotlight due to her position at Virginia Tech.

To read more work by WCC poets check out "poets at the crossroads" or the newest edition of "Blood Orange," WCC's literary magazine. Copies are located in the Writing Center on the third floor of the LA building or the Student Activities office.

Interested parties can contact Tom Zimmerman for information about joining the Poetry Club: tzman@wccnet.edu.

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