Kyle's Thoughts on the New Writing Series

Upon taking different literature courses over the past year, I learned new ways to interpret and to reflect poetry.

The New Writing Series has contributed immensely to my understanding of present day poetry. Flarf poetry which was performed by poet Rod Smith and Mel Nichols on Valentine’s Day at the NWS are examples of innovative new poetic forms which are moving poetry into new possibilities of expression all together.

Hearing contrasting emotions and stories throughout the powerful, succinct stories of poetry all resonant deep meanings or quirky observations, render descriptive and personal experiences, but also bring together insightful words that lift one’s spirit.

One of my most memorable nights at the NWS was the Grady Award Presentation.

Grady Awards brought student writers who read from their works for the undergraduate and graduate winners alike. This particular presentation however marked one of the first nights where short stories were read to the audience.

The story “Mysterious Ways,” by Graduate student Emily Kohler captured my attention unlike any written piece of this particular night, as her first person narrative of a southern boy contemplating whether or not to eat a bowl of beaches. The piece was very authentic and funny as the boy thinks the peaches are a gift from God, or maybe an object of desire, all in all the complex thinking patterns of the boy or very well articulated and mapped out in the story. Kohler’s authentic portrayal of the southern boy while reading the story also made it more entertaining.

Anyway this blog is dedicated to my experiences and observations at the New Writing Series, enjoy!