English honor society hosts open mic poetry night

Estelle Mandeville

Staff Writer

Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society on campus, hosted an open microphone poetry night 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, where attendees were encouraged to bring either original or favorite poems to read aloud.

Every chair in the International Lounge in the J.C. Williams Center was occupied with participants.

Julianne Leighton, the president of Sigma Tau Delta, encouraged everyone to participate, saying the event was casual. Leighton started the night by reading “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost.

Then, one by one, volunteers came up to the front of the room to present poems. Some people read original poems, and others read published poems. Some read poetry off paper, while others recited their chosen poems.

Many readers mentioned that they were not planning to read, but the other poems, poets and readers encouraged them to read. Many also said that this was their first time reading poetry aloud.

Common themes of the presented poems included God, the fall season, other aspects of nature and humor. For one recitation, a pair of poets came up and presented a pair of poems about a father and son.

John Holmes, who holds a doctorate in English, said, “Having a forum like this is what every writer needs.”

Junior Mary Scott said, “It was amazing to hear everyone’s different voices to get a glimpse into their minds and hearts.”

Sophomore Emily Palmer said, “So many people were so good. I laughed, I cried. At first I was nervous, but then I read three poems.”

Senior Isabella Krueger said, “It was really cool to see people’s creativity with their poems.”

Sigma Tau Delta sponsored this poetry night. Leighton said that there will be one more Sigma Tau Delta event this semester, to be announced.