Written by Isabelle Hendrich, Faith Editor
DAYTON, TN – The Livesay Learning Center hosted the very first poetry reading on February 16. During the night, Tom Pickett, Dr. Gleason, Dr. Finch, Amanda Davis, Carlos Portillo and Anna Jo Humpleby (AJ) read poems that they had written. Coffee and chocolate chip cookies were served during the event.
After the poets read their work, there was a time of discussion where the audience was allowed to ask questions about poetry.
The poets gave insights, students and professors in attendance gave their own opinions. When asked what his poems were inspired by, Pickett said, “The Holy Spirit. The truth, what is it, the kingdom of God, where is it.”
After Pickett graduated with his master degree in Creative Writing, specifically poetry, from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, he was a probation officer for thirteen years. Pickett was then the head of security for the University of Georgia Health Department. Now that he is retired, Pickett continues writing poetry and editing poetry. One of Pickett’s most recent poetry books that he is featured in and edited is the Listening: Journal of Communication, Ethics, Religion, and Culture.
When asked the reasoning behind his poems, Dr. Finch said, “Each poem has a different inspiration. The third one was inspired by disappointment and just having hopes that constantly seem to not happen the way that I hoped they would. How we deal with that as Christians can be difficult. I was really exploring the emotion of hope deferred makes the heart sick.”
Amanda Davis, a freshman Communication major and creative writing minor said, “I’m so thankful I was given the opportunity to share my poetry, I had a wonderful time and enjoyed hearing everyone share their writing. Poetry is a great way to express yourself and I think it’s something everyone should at the very least try. There’s nothing quite like having an idea and seeing it evolve into a poem that you have created.”
