RILEY STRAW
Copy Editor
Sometimes, snapping fingers at people while they speak can be considered rude, but at the Fredonia Poetry Festival, audience members did so out of admiration. Rachel McKibbens, Ashley Wylde and several diverse poets from the on-campus writing community performed last Wednesday, April 15.
McKibbens, according to her website http://www.rachelmckibbens.com, “is a nine-time National Poetry Slam team member, has appeared on eight NPS final stages … is the 2009 Women of the World Poetry Slam champion and the 2011 National Underground Poetry Slam individual champion” — and she also presented some of her poetry at Fredonia.
Many of McKibbens’ poems spoke of her children’s influence on her, what it was like growing up immersed in religious Mexican culture and the domestically abusive situations present in her childhood. Vivid with dark imagery, her poetry captured a stark sense of strength in solitude, weakness in emotion and a pride in experience. Many of her poems were humorous in their irony and devastating in their content, which allowed the audience to feel ultimately connected and yet simultaneously completely separated from her.
“Last year, Writer’s Ring cultivated many of the poets (a similarly diverse crowd) itself, and just asked other clubs for financial support for the poets that matched their groups’ interests,” said poet James Lillin, a dual major in English and BFA acting. “But by really letting the CMA groups decide amongst themselves, they picked a really wonderful poet who represented a lot of things that this campus is in desperate need of.”
Ashley Wylde, another professional poet, spoke of her poetic influence on the Internet, issues with depression and her experiences within the university setting. She recited multiple poems, including “Domestic” and “Infinity,” which are available for viewing on her website, http://ashleywylde.com.
“I think we were really successful in showcasing the talents of those who too often get snubbed in the worlds of literature and poetry,” said Lillin, who also acts as the treasurer for Writers’ Ring.
“There was a great contrast between Ashley and Rachel, as well,” audience member Ryan Norton, a dual major in English and philosophy, said. “Ashley was much more soft-spoken while packing a huge emotional punch, whereas Rachel is able to get up there and command the stage.”
Student poets, who acted as an introduction to Wylde and McKibbens, included Graham Michael, Cedric Wilson, Nicole Berger and Lillin. These poets brought attention to issues relevant to the Fredonia community, and to our global community, including race, transgender name change validation, domestic violence, insomnia and the locations in which the poets grew up.
The crowd was scattered throughout the McEwen lecture hall; people sat in small groups or alone. Though the room wasn’t completely full, the crowd was large enough that the energy was high. The audience showed each poet a tremendous amount of support, encouragement and respect.
“Even though we didn’t have the number of poets we had last year, the caliber of the people we did have was wonderful,” said Lillin. “In terms of student poets, I really loved listening to Graham Michael, who always writes passionate pieces.”
Berger’s poem, “Gringa,” stood out as one of the highlights of the night; her skill in discussing social and personal issues in poetic language was inspiring. Audience members were moved to an awestruck silence through the anaphora of the single word — “Gringa” — repeated throughout the poem, as well as the repeated image of the narrator being “born in halves.”
The event was co-sponsored by Writers’ Ring, Pride Alliance, Latinos Unidos, Sigma Tau Delta and
Women’s Student Union.