By Daniel Thai
Special for The State News
It's Valentine's Day - the lights are dim, silky R&B melodies tease the air with the abundant scent of flowers, and poets hurriedly transcribe their visions onto paper.
It's Soul Nite in Common Grounds Coffeehouse in Akers Hall, presented by the Black Poets Society.
Twenty-one poets recited and performed their works on a stage furnished only with a stool and a microphone Saturday. The Valentine's Day Soul Nite is one of many annual events in which the members of the society can showcase their talents.
"I love writing," said Ed Carter, an interdisciplinary studies in social science and pre-law freshman. "It gives me a form to talk to the masses." Carter, who also is a society member and one of the night's performing poets, has written poetry for five years.
Dena Goodman, a 2003 alumna and vice president of the society, said events such as Soul Nite provide a forum for aspiring poets to communicate their feelings without restraint.
Carter performed a poem he had written more than a year ago. "Shy" discusses a guy's inability to approach a girl because of his timidity. A l? R. Kelly, Carter sang a revised version of "Shy" to the tune of Kelly's "Ignition Remix."
The society members presented poems with subjects ranging from female independence to jazz singer Nina Simone to, of course, love. Soul Nite continued with featured speaker Dana Hawes, an English teacher from Virginia.
Hawes, a professional poet of about nine years, was scheduled to appear at last year's Soul Nite, but schedule conflicts prevented him from attending. A week later, he came to MSU and performed for the society - all on his own accord.
This year, Hawes was able to attend without a hitch. He read several poems from his book, "Pages of My Mind," as well as some other poetry.
Hawes said his goal for the evening was to change people's perceptions of poetry.
"Poetry is the most unadulterated and pure form of expression," he said. "It's OK to be human and to have reactions to everything."
The crowd, couples and singles alike, readily received all the poets and their works. Before the event, Goodman said, "We usually have a good time," and that night was no different.
