NEWS

Poetry sustains activism through art

Poetry Club member Ron Pagereski reads along from the “Poetry Sustains” anthology while poets perform. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw VoicePoetry Club member Ron Pagereski reads along from the “Poetry Sustains” anthology while poets perform. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice

Poetry Club member Ron Pagereski reads along from the “Poetry Sustains” anthology while poets perform. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice

By Lilly Kujawski
Editor

“We were the promise and the threat, but we may not be the aftermath,” read a line from an original poem by English instructor Maryam Barrie, which she performed at sustainability-themed poetry event held at the Bailey Library.

The event, hosted on April 18 by the WCC Sustainability Literacy Task Force, was entitled “Poetry Sustains” and featured performances of original work from various campus community members, as well a selection of poems from well-known writers passed around the audience in a basket.

Poems ranged from optimistic and inspirational, to dreary to humorous, and many discussed climate change concerns. Many were politically charged and urged action from citizens. Some of the pieces served more as an ode to nature and the environment. A poem by Wanda Kay Sanders, a WCC Poetry Club member, titled “Free” had themes of hope and reclamation.

“My thoughts have taken flight, high in the sky,” Sanders read. “I am an eagle above the storms of a tarnished life.”

Many of the performers also had their poems included in a chapbook, which holds the same title as the event. Tom Zimmerman, Poetry Club advisor and English instructor, said he hopes that the event can become an annual occurrence.

Comments

comments

Lilly Kujawski

Recent Posts

WCC board discontinues pre-meeting dinner WCC board discontinues pre-meeting dinner 

WCC board discontinues pre-meeting dinner 

Meals were longtime tradition at monthly meetings Lily Cole | Editor  The long-standing, but little-known…

12 hours ago
Student guide to executive orders Student guide to executive orders 

Student guide to executive orders 

Abigail Gibb | Contributor  President Donald Trump has signed over 100 executive orders since the…

12 hours ago
AI event highlights fine line between generating, creatingAI event highlights fine line between generating, creating

AI event highlights fine line between generating, creating

Beck Elandt | Staff Writer  Photos by Courtney Prielipp While artificial intelligence can produce a…

12 hours ago

Radical truth: Stand up for history so it doesn’t repeat itself

Recent attacks against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Donald Trump administration have…

13 hours ago

Beat the news cycle burnout

Sasha Hatinger | Staff Writer  News is available to be consumed in a diverse selection…

13 hours ago

‘Mickey 17’ blends sci-fi, comedy in fun adventure

This review may contain spoilers for “Mickey 17”, released in theatres on March 7, 2025. …

14 hours ago