Elaina Myers
It’s fair to say that the last few years have been hard for all of us due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carrying the stress of not knowing what each day will bring caused the whole world to hold their breath, but as we finally seem to be reaching the end of this exhausting journey it’s time for us to breathe again. What a better way to celebrate this transition back to “normal” life than during National Poetry Month at this year’s Local Poetry Showcase!
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire has partnered with CVWG to host a showcase of local poets on April 20th from 6:30pm to 8pm. The event is open to the public and people are encouraged to attend in-person, although there will be a live online streaming on the UUC Facebook page. The theme of this showcase is centered around “Awakening,” which is defined as the act of coming into existence or awareness in not only a spiritual way, but an emotional and physical realization as well.
There will be an array of local poets performing at this event including Lopamudra (Lopa) Basu, Debbie Campbell, Max Garland, two UWEC students Dawson Jollie and Carlee Shimek, and a handful of others. Each poet will be reading original poetry that they feel captures their own interpretation of the theme “Awakening”.
“Honestly, I'm just ecstatic having another opportunity to meet more local poets. Sure, I'm happy to present, but I'm looking forward to being immersed in an environment filled with such creative minds,” said Dawson Jollie, one of the CVWG interns. “For me, the concept of awakening is like a "call to arms" for the body: the mind shouts into the deepest corners of the heart, telling it to get up once more. It's a wonderful feeling, but in these uncertain times I fear we need more of it.”
Although poetry is something that should be recognized every day, this showcase comes at a unique time of growth and conversion from the unknown to the familiar. Reverend Julianne Lepp, main coordinator of the event, recognizes the impact that poetry can have and hopes that those who attend the event feel a deeper connection to the poets and their words.
““I think we’ve all been through a collective trauma with the pandemic and we are all encountering different challenges reentering into community, so I hope the power and inspiration that poetry contains will touch something in each of us and awaken our realities.” ”
“I think we’ve all been through a collective trauma with the pandemic and we are all encountering different challenges reentering into community, so I hope the power and inspiration that poetry contains will touch something in each of us and awaken our realities,” said Lepp. “I believe this will be a beautiful event and I am excited to be apart of this safe space that allows us to process our feelings and dig deeper within ourselves.”
For more information on the event visit https://www.cvwritersguild.org/events/2022/4/20/local-poetry-showcase.