Love/Anti-Love Poetry Shines in English Department Reading


Bi-annually, Polaris, my university’s undergraduate literary magazine, hosts an evening of rapid fire reading. For Valentine’s Day, literature fans can read either love or anti-love poetry and short fiction. On Feb. 10, Polaris hosted its Valentine’s Day Rapid Fire Reading, and as the Production Manager for the magazine, I was pleased with the overall outcome of the event.

Reading Emily Dickinson (photo/Kasy Long)
Reading aloud popular works bonds writers together. When I read my selected Emily Dickinson work at the event, I felt as though I was sharing my passion for Dickinson’s work with my fellow classmates.

Snarky cookies (photo/Kasy Long)
The popular theme for the night was anti-love poetry. Homemade cookies featured anti-love cookies. So basically, the English Department is anti-love. I’m okay with that. 

I was feeling the love on Wednesday night. Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration of love between a couple. It could be the love between friends.

One of my best friends, Sarah Defenderfer, passed away on Feb. 6 from her battle of cancer. I miss her, but I wrote a poem to honor her memory.

----

Dandelion Wishes

For Sarah Defenderfer

Collected conversations painted on canvases
tell stories – each inspiring more and more.
I stare at pictures, angry at myself
for not taking the time to capture more memories
on my camera.

A yellow dress remains tucked away in a dresser.
Dandelion, you’re free from your roots.

You tug on my heartstrings, pulling my chest tighter –
inward. My head pounds as I lay in chaotic bedsheets.
Heaving through the water streams escaping
the corners of my eyes, releasing droplets of memories
on my violet pillowcase.

No good-byes, no farewell hugs. Only a hope—
a wish. No more pain. No more tears.

Memories are what I have now—the only things
to remember your smile, your wit, your trust.
I keep your text messages saved on my phone—
the conversation we shared three days prior
to when you left.

Clipped from the meadow too soon.
Dandelion, you’re home.  

---

This is my Valentine’s Day gift for Sarah. 


-KJL-






Dandelions (photo/isabelsbeautyblog.com)

















Comments

  1. What a special poem in memory of your friend. Very touching. Sorry for your loss. In regards to the Reading, it's nice to see literature alive and well at your college. I also appreciated your live Tweets, making the event an even more valuable educational experience. Keep up the great work!

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  2. It is great to see the literary world alive and exciting at your college amidst all of the focus on STEM. Long live Writing and Literature! So sorry for your loss, and your poem was a beautiful tribute to your friend.

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