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.

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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.  

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This is my Valentine’s Day gift for Sarah. 

-KJL-

Dandelions (photo/isabelsbeautyblog.com)