By Lauren Indyk
Correspondent
Poets unite! Fiction writers had no place at the Oct. 21 Student Reading Series, held in the Library Auditorium by the College’s student-run literary organization, ink, where three selected students, Eva Carrara, Jeffrey Harrison and Carly DaSilva, offered their poetic words to a small audience of fellow students.
“I’d like to thank the readers for willingly volunteering to share themselves tonight,” said Samantha Zimbler, junior English major and ink president, hinting at just how personal the night of self-written works would be.
Junior Eva Carrara opened up by reading, in a soft voice, two untitled poems. Though short, each poem was heavy with dramatic images — the first included such lines as “I’m selling my heart to the highest bidder” and “I’m thinking you probably like pretending to be God.” The second started off, “I like a boy without eyes,” and continued, “you, the peaceful Pacific, only pretending to be content.”
Zimbler then introduced senior English major Jeff Harrison as somebody who is “silent, yet eerily profound” while “pushing the boundary of literature and even … sanity.”
Harrison read four original poems, “Difference,” “Condemnation,” “Stellar” and one untitled work, all of which expressed his outlook on life, touching on sexuality, love and hope, while providing some sense of his comical character.
“He’ll hit you hard, then sing you to sleep,” Zimbler explained in her introduction of Harrison, and his poems did exactly that. Harrison’s first poem exclaimed, “This is the reason you’re not for me.” His final piece, “Stellar,” turned the other way: “I listen to you like a child listens to a bedtime story.”
Freshman journalism major Jack Meyers provided an introduction for freshman open options major Carly DaSilva, describing her as “eloquent in her words and unparalleled in her visions.”
DaSilva read six poems: “Goddess,” “The Blue Moon,” “To Know Me,” “Under the Green Light,” “Sunkissed” and “Heartstrung.” Confidence and poise were plentiful as she recited her meticulously rhythmic words, which touched on feminism, sensuality, love, happiness and wonder.
“I was so very nervous at first, but it is such a pleasure,” said DaSilva, who hopes to be published as a poet or novelist.
DaSilva’s introducer and long-time friend Meyers explained, “In high school, we used to have little poetry readings at our lunch table. I always took advantage of how much I love Carly’s work, because I got to hear it every day. It’s great to have others hear it.”
Many in attendance at the Reading Series said they were involved in writing of their own and came out to gain inspiration. Others came simply to support their peers and fellow ink members.
“I’m not at the point to share my own work, but I was very impressed with tonight … The quality of writing, the delivery … it was inspiring,” said senior psychology major and ink member Christopher Lombardi.
By the end of the night, it was obvious that the audience was greatly touched by the evening, as junior English major and fellow ink member Matt Brown responded, “The way this night went, it really inspires others to share their own work, or at least to appreciate the work of others.”
