By Brenna Wiegand
Like a sort of joyous ode, Silverton Poetry Festival unfolds over two weekends in settings around Silverton and Mt. Angel. These include a winery, a bakery, two libraries, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gordon House and the little white church that was a massage school before its present designation as White Steeple Gallery.
Michael Smith, president of Silverton Poetry Association, said once again the group has gotten “carried away” and has “lots going on.”
“But we couldn’t really say no to any of it,” he said. In addition to a number of poetry readings in various forms, including some set to music, this year’s “Visual-Verbal Exchanges” have a new feature:
Local poets will meet April 2 with those in the visual arts to “swap” art – for example, a poem for a painting – and have had a couple of weeks to “respond” to their borrowed creations through the creation of something new – poem, painting, sculpture, etc. These collaborations will be presented April 23 at the Silver Falls Library.
Smith, whose play Summer Lightning opens June 12 at Brush Creek Theater, said last year’s open mic turn-out was impressive with poets of various ages and walks of life traveling from Portland, Corvallis and Eugene to take part.
“It’s a way to really speak from the heart,” Smith said of writing – and sharing – poetry. “You don’t have to be someone who calls yourself a poet to participate.”
Other nights, published poets give free public readings; there’s a youth poetry contest – and an afternoon poetry workshop led by Portland poet Paulann Petersen. Smith said Petersen’s enthusiasm for poetry is infectious. She is adamant that poetry is “no elitist activity” but rather “anybody’s domain.”
“Poetry speaks to what is most human – and humane – in us,” said Petersen, also one of the festival’s featured poets. “For many of us, we turn to poems almost daily; others, at times of great celebration, turmoil or grief. When you begin to ask why, it tells you something about the role of poetry in our lives.”
In the days immediately following 9/11, Petersen said “poetry literally flew from hand to hand – evidence that it resonates to the deeper places of our lives.” She has written verse for memorial services, weddings and the baby-naming ceremonies of her two grandchildren whose mother is of Indian descent.
Another featured poet is Penelope Scambly Schott, latest winner of the Oregon Literary Award in poetry. She and Eugene poet John Witte will read their work and participate in a discussion of the art and practice of poetry in an event called “Talking Poetry.”
While teaching English as a Second Language in Mexico last year, Kelley Morehouse, SPA member and poet, set up two poetry readings at the university where she worked that involved young adults from South Africa, Austria, Canada, Mexico and England.
They discovered what Morehouse did 10 years ago when she discovered this art form – “It is a way to say what no other medium can.”
Petersen agrees that through its imagery and compression poetry can “somehow convey what is inexpressible.”
A good way to explore poetry, Morehouse said, is to find some poems that hold meaning for you and read them.
“Not all poetry is easy to understand, but contemporary poetry is much more relaxed and most often holds a lot of meaning,” she said, adding that another way is to attend this month’s festival and listen to what’s being read.
“It really comes alive when the poet reads it,” Morehouse said. “The events are free and are very satisfying experiences.”
One of her favorite poets is William Stafford, who was Oregon’s Poet Laureate prior to his death in 1995. His work, she said, is accessible and understandable. Plus, she follows Stafford’s model of rising early each morning to devote time to writing.
“Poetry is meaningful for me,” Morehouse said. “It talks about life, love, the way the world is and isn’t – all its complications and beauties – in one short page. It’s very enriching.”
Poetry and music will be united on April 19 at the Mt. Angel Abbey Library. Baritone Christopher Wicks, violist Eadie Anelli and pianist Michael Smith, all of Silverton, will set to music the works of 19th century poets Heinrich Heine and Nikolaus Lenau.
The festival’s finale is the Feast of Poets, where five poets serve up readings alongside other tasty treats at Silver Falls Vineyards.
For information on the Silverton Poetry Festival check Our Town’s Datebook pages or go to www.silvertonpoetry.org or call Michael Smith, 503-949-6822; or Molly Murphy, 503-936-6158.
Click here to see a schedule of events at the 2009 Silverton Poetry Festival.
