On a wet Thursday evening, poets and poetry aficionados alike gathered at the International House for Onyx's first poetry reading of the year. The rain moved the poetry reading from the Tisch library rooftop to the house, where lava lamps replaced a starlit sky, hot cocoa was served, and guitar playing added to the already cozy ambiance. The International House's common room became the intimate and energetic thinking ground for both the poets and audience, drawing intellectual and emotional responses.
Ajahne Santa Anna and Jamila Moore, both sophomores and editors of Onyx, a campus publication showcasing black-centered poetry and prose, opened the night by welcoming everyone to the reading and inviting anyone who wished to read to sign up on the open mic list. Onyx publishes twice a semester and often holds a poetry slam after each publication.
The poets read to an audience of about 60, who listened intently to the poems and one short story. These literary works touched on a variety of topics such as identity, love, music, and nature. They also included allusions to famous rappers, current and historical events, New York City, and the WNBA.
Some poems were about the art of poetry itself, such as "Who's A Poet" written by junior Alwin Jones. Descriptions such as "a poet is a conductor in front of an ensemble" provided several answers to the title question. Jones then flowed into a second poem, demanding the attention of his audience by asking them, "Who is your God?" He referenced to the New York City shooting of Amadou Diallo by chillingly counting to 41 - symbolizing the number of shots fired at the victim.
Not all of the poems were as solemn as Jones', however. Connell Cloyd's poem, entitled "Tighty Whities," bluntly and honestly unfolded the issue of Cloyd's underwear. In the poem, Cloyd's drawers took on a personality of their own and spoke to him. Cloyd received a big laugh from the audience when he read the last line, in which his underwear exclaimed, "Connell, you got the balls to do anything!"
Many of the poems were punctuated by an infectious beat, encouraging the audience to tap their feet and nod their heads along to the rhythm. Freshman Chinua Thelwell's two poems, "French Fried Yam With Soy Sauce" and "Flat Line Last Night," carried a lyrical rhythm; the latter explored serious issues in music, such as "bringing cultures together in hip hop."
The poets connected with the audience by describing images and emotions, settings and moods, and familiar problems and concerns. These descriptions reflected the poets' personalities, memories, and beliefs, eliciting vocal responses from the audience, who would throw in an occasional supportive whoop, "word," or "you tell 'em!"
Freshman Candace Gomez received a strong response for her provocative poem, "Emancipation of Jazz." She described "getting naked on the inside," "putting feelings on the line" (referring to the clothes line), and "lying in naked in the grass with insecurities." During her reading, the guitar player, freshman Alex Madva, emphasized her seductive lines with the strumming of his guitar. Being clothed, she feels hidden - she invited the audience at the end of her poem to, "get naked with me."
Poetry, short stories, and artwork can be submitted to Onyx from now until Oct. 23 for the December issue.
