By Brooke Curley
Brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
SAFFORD – Poetry enthusiasts young and old gathered at the Safford City-Graham County Library on Thursday to celebrate the power of the printed poem.
An open microphone was available for those in attendance to read their work or the work of their favorite poetry authors. Young and old participated in the event. Poetry pieces read at the open mike included Emily Dickinson’s “320,” as well as the work of local poets, including Janice Rackauskas, and Safford Library Director Leanne McElroy reading from a collection of her mother’s poetry. After the hour of open microphone ended, the library held a screening of Woody Allen’s film“Midnight in Paris.”
Brandon Nite, senior library technician, organized the poetry and writer’s event. Nite told Gila Valley Central that the event coincided with National Poetry Month, and that he hoped to bring a love of poetry to the community.
“With the library’s annual event commemorating National Poetry Month, we’re looking to spark and maintain a love for poetry across the community,” Nite said. “With this year’s event, I was very happy to see a diverse age range of readers, from kids to teens and adults. Next year, I’d love to broaden this and get even more poets and poetry lovers from within the Gila Valley. We extend an open invitation to students at Safford High School and Eastern Arizona College in particular. We’d love to see more student readers. This is a terrific opportunity for them to share their work and love of poetry.”
Snow Angels
Twas’ after dark we made our start
Our promenade in the cold
The three of us…my sisters and I
When snow was dropping slow
Ten inches fell that night we walked
I’ll ne’re forget the sight
The scene was quiet…unnatural still
And all laid out in white
The din was hushed complete around
With only a tinkle to hear
Icicles descending from the eves
Resounding in my ear
We enjoyed the occasion immensely
And slowed for arrival home
For us…so uninhabited
This world was ours alone
We then composed cherubs live
Celestial bright and bold
With lovely snow wings fluttering
They bravely faced the cold
The memories are strikingly clear
I still see them in the snow…
So vivid in my mind and dear
Even though I’ve grown old
Snow Angels by Janice Rackauskas
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