By Bendik Sorensen
Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor
“I was driving stick in a green VW Beetle,” read one of the poems, during one of the Poetry Center’s frequent readings on Feb. 11. Susana H. Case and Anthony DiMatteo, professors respectively of Behavioral Sciences and English at NYIT, were the poets featured in the first reading of the semester. Their subjects were varied; from travel, to marriage, and rock- and-roll.
The event started with Case reading from several of her publications, the latest being “4 Rms W Vu,” mainly touching
the subject of human interactions and relationships. Her poem used a New York City apartment and its different rooms as metaphors; for instance, the storage room as a metaphor for memories. “Be my abode. My foundation wall. Mud block and concrete node-press,” read one of Case’s poems.
DiMatteo, a Pushcart Prize nominee and publisher of several chapbooks (collections of poems), started his session with a rap-inspired poem about cupid, inspired by the approach of Valentine’s Day. DiMatteo’s works have been featured in several publications, including College Literature, Avatar Poetry Review, and The Cortland Review. His latest book, published on Jan. 29, of last year, is called Beautiful Poems, and has received positive reviews from critics.
The Poetry Center, a part of the English Department, has several more poetry readings planned for the spring semester, which is listed at the bottom. Dr. Joan Digby, director of the Honors College and a professor of English, stated that the readings this spring will be full of nationalities and cultures from all around the world, including “A Celebration of Chinese New Year” on Feb. 19, where Leslie Bai, a fellow English professor and translator of Chinese classical poetry, will read and hold a workshop related to the celebration. In March there are two readings, which will feature poets from Japan, India, Trinidad, and Long Island.
The Poetry Center is also having a competition, in collaboration with the English Department. Students and alumni are encouraged to submit poetry and short fiction stories. There are several categories, including graduate student and alumni, with prizes in each of the categories. This is the 49th Annual Poetry and Fiction Contest. The deadline is Feb. 24. For rules and more info, contact Professor Digby at Joan.Digby@liu.edu. The winners will be announced on the 47th annual Poetry Awards Night, where there are readings and the winners are praised, on April 14.
For more information about the Poetry Center and its upcoming readings, go to www.liu.edu/CWPost/Academics/Schools/CLAS/ Resources/Poetry-Center/
Upcoming Readings:
Thursday, Feb. 19
– A Celebration of Chinese New Year Leslie Bai reading with Stanley H. Barkan, poet and publisher of Cross-Cultural Communications.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
– Yuyutsu Ram Dass Sharma and Charles Fishman
Wednesday, March 18
– Poetry and Art: Erica Mapp and Yuko Otomo.
Tuesday, April 14
– Poetry Awards Night: Fran Castan and Lewis Zacks
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