Poetry is a powerful art and a source of community. There’s something to be said about hearing people bear their emotions in such a vulnerable way. When a poet says something that everyone in the audience clings to and gives a sigh of bliss. The space that gets created, warm and inviting, where creativity is not judged but celebrated.
This theme of community is the basis of Unsung Poetry, an event put on by the Lemieux Library in partnership with Fragments, the literary magazine on campus. The event, which happened May 2, was held for the second time in the Lemieux Library, and was a place for poets to come together and share their work with others. It was a celebration of poetry and also a chance to uplift marginalized voices within the poetry community. What was special about the event was the idea that an “unsung poet” was someone who hadn’t been given the chance for their work to be heard.
Ally Ang and Paul Hlava Ceballos, two Seattle-based poets, performed their own work alongside the poetry of authors dubbed unsung poets. Ang chose, for their unsung poet, to read the poetry of Jamie Silvonek, an incarcerated woman in Pennsylvania. There is something powerful to be said about seeing someone perform poetry of another person who doesn’t have the opportunity to perform the words themselves. Watching Ang give life to such beautifully written poems of an unsung poet was a demonstration of how expression is a lifeline to those who might not have the chance to be seen. Ang, speaking about Silvonek, highlighted what the event was all about.
“A couple of years ago, I was introduced to a young poet who had been incarcerated for the past decade. I was asked to help take a look at her manuscript that she had written and didn’t really know what to do with it. We got connected and I looked at her writing and I helped her edit the manuscript and send it out to different publishers,” Ang said.
When asked about their first time performing poetry live:
“If I could say terrifying three times I would,” Ang said with a laugh. “Definitely terrifying, but also really exhilarating and supportive.”
Gogo DeLeon, a fourth-year creative writing major, event coordinator for Fragments and one of the performers of the event, spoke of their first time performing their poetry in front of an audience.
“Terrified, inspiring and provoking. It provoked a lot of feelings and emotions.”
For performers, being in front of an audience is a chance to showcase themselves in a way that is authentic. Ang, DeLeon and the other performers shared pieces that meant something to them and, in turn, gave the audience a chance to see the ways in which they made sense of life.
“Poetry, especially the teachings of poetry that I’ve experienced, has made me very grateful. Dr. Serena Chopra’s teachings have been really inspiring. From what I’ve learned of poetry I have integrated into all aspects of my life and the ways I think outside the box. Breaking down what should be and what’s forced and turning it into endless possibilities,” DeLeon said.
Representation was a key part of the event. When looking at unsung poets, the idea of representation is something that both Ang and DeLeon shared their thoughts on.
“Poetry has definitely reached a lot of different audiences. I’d say the only one that I haven’t really seen or read much on is like plus sized bodies. Especially POC plus sized bodies. That’s not really talked about,” DeLeon said.
“There’s always room for improvement. Trying to center the voices of marginalized writers, whether that be people of color, disabled people, or queer and trans people is very valuable,” Ang said.
Anna Vu, a third-year psychology major and volunteer at the event, appreciated how poetry events allow for community engagement through shared art.
“I think for me, poetry really helped me connect with new people. I’ve made a lot of new friends from my love of writing and poetry. I feel like I’ve also developed this kind of unique connection with people. Poetry is so personal and vulnerable, so to hear others and share your own is something that is very profound,” Vu said.
Unsung Poetry is an annual event in its early days, but it’s making a lasting impact on the students who write at the university. It’s a space for the community to thrive and people to come together and share art they are so passionate about. It’s a space that celebrates diversity in writing and champions the marginalized voices who have a love of poetry.
