Home » A Poetry Reading, With The Washington State Poet, At Fremont Library

A Poetry Reading, With The Washington State Poet, At Fremont Library

by Kirby Lindsay Laney, posted 4 January 2016

 

Poetry readings at the Fremont Branch Library, held quarterly, allow poets to share their works.  Ann Pitkin read in January 2015.  Photo by Adrian Laney
Poetry readings at the Fremont Branch Library, held quarterly, allow poets to share their works. Ann Pitkin read in January 2015. Photo by Adrian Laney

Everyone is invited, on Monday, January 11th, starting at 6:30p, to the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library, for the last scheduled poetry reading by Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen.  This special evening is another in the quarterly, live poetry readings that take place at our branch library, and will also feature original poems read by Angela Belcaster, of Bellingham, and Von Thompson, of Duvall.

Hosted by the Fremont Branch Library, in partnership with Floating Bridge Press, these free readings give both poetry lovers and poetry novices a relaxed, open venue for experiencing this art form, directly from the artists themselves.

‘Read Them Into The Air’

As State Poet Laureate, Austen has had the opportunity to do many readings like this one.  Fortunately, she is known for her skill with public performance, and her ability to engage her listeners.  In fact, before becoming a poet, Austen trained as an actor, delighting in giving life to the language of playwrights.  Now, as a poet, she’s uses those acting skills to make her poetry more accessible.

“It’s a different skill to put words on the page and to read them into the air,” she observed.  Some poets can do both, but not all.  “I start most of my mornings with poetry and coffee,” Austen explained, “It’s a beautiful way to start my day.”  She finds the reading time – the quiet and the words – meditative.  But, she acknowledged, this is not the only way to experience poetry and, she insisted, neither reading from the page nor hearing poetry read is ‘better.’  “Both have their pleasures,” explained our Poet Laureate.

Poet Von Thompson will be reading some of her works at the Fremont Branch Library, on Jan 11, 2016.
Poet Von Thompson will be reading some of her works at the Fremont Branch Library, on Jan 11, 2016.

In her readings, “I believe it’s important to bring the words to life,” Austen said, “to be present, in the hopes that the audience will connect.”  When she comes to Fremont, “I will be reading poems reflecting the current world we live in,” she explained, “an experience of what it means to be human.”

Austen wants to engage readers, and listeners, and help other poets do the same.  “I teach other poets how to read,” she acknowledged, “I have a background, and training, that helps.”  Austen has taught reading at Jack Straw, Richard Hugo House, and Artist Trust, as well as coaching some of the poets who have read on KUOW, where she produces poetry programming.

‘Hungry To Connect’

According to Austen, “Seattle is very much a poetry town.”  After all, we have a poetry-only bookstore (Open Books in Wallingford,) a radio station that deliberately programs poetry (KUOW,) and audiences that gather to hear from writers, at SPL events as well as others.

Yet, during her two-year term, our State Poet Laureate has had confirmation that poetry is hardly the provenance of Seattle.  “One of the things that has impressed me is how vibrant is the community of poets and readers all over our state,” she observed.  She has been able to travel to all corners of the 39 counties of Washington, and she’s found a love of poetry exists everywhere.  “I have yet to set up a reading and have no one show up,” Austen reported, “People are hungry to connect with themselves, and with others.”  Across the State, Austen met a wide diversity of people who read, and write, poetry.

Poet Angela Belcaster will share original poems in Fremont in January 2016.
Poet Angela Belcaster will share original poems in Fremont in January 2016.

“Writing poetry is flourishing, especially among young people,” Austen observed.  Many young poets, she found, use modern technology like smartphones, to compose and get exposure for their works.  “The internet has made it very easy to share on-line,” Austen explained, and to build a community among poets, and poetry lovers.

‘Poetry Is For All Of Us’

The internet has helped with the publication and sharing of poetry that previously may have never have seen light except on the page of a poet’s coffee-stained notebook.  As part of her role as our State’s Poet, Austen has also made good use of the internet.  On the Washington State Poet Laureate website (wapoetlaureate.org,) Austen has been busy posting poems by the many, many talented poets of our state.

The Washington State Poet Laureate program, sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Washington State Arts Commission, is intended to build awareness and appreciation of poetry through public readings, workshops and presentations across the state.  It is an honor, but it is also a huge responsibility for those poets (Austen is only the third to hold the title) who have taken on this mantel.

Each person who becomes State Poet Laureate may fulfill the honor differently.  Poets must apply to be considered for it, and they must explain what they would bring to the role.  Austen specifically wanted to share the talent we have here, make poetry more accessible, and illuminate our shared human experience.

Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen, shown here at Sandbox Radio, will be reading her poetry at the Fremont Branch Library.
Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen, shown here at Sandbox Radio, will be reading her poetry at the Fremont Branch Library.

“My whole purpose is to say poetry is for all of us,” Austen said, “I can be a conduit for exploration, to deepen the sense of what poetry can be.”

In addition to sharing the poetry of others, the Washington Poet Laureate website also contains poetry by Austen, as does her WordPress site.  “My work is contemporary,” she observed, “people tend to say, ‘I had no idea poetry could be fun and funny and have layers that include humor.’”

Take time to read it on your own… or you could attend the free reading on January 11th at the Fremont Branch Library, and hear Austen, along with Angela Belcaster and Von Thompson.  While this is unlikely to be the last chance we will have to hear Austen, or Belcaster or Thompson, this is great time to hear all three Washington poets, here, in Fremont and at the Center of the Universe.

 

 


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©2015 Kirby Lindsay.  This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws.  Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.

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