When poet Ruelaine Stokes compares poetry to human expression, such as dancing and painting, she said it is all the same — each form speaks in relation to the human spirit.
As a member of Lansing’s Old Town Poetry Series and an instructor at MSU’s English Language Center, Stokes said her variety of poems — from the silly to the serious — satisfies a wide range of audience members.
Stokes will be the featured poet at the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities’ continuing Spring Poetry Festival scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the RCAH Theatre, located in the basement of Snyder-Phillips Hall. The event is sponsored by the MSU Center for Poetry.
“One thing that’s interesting is that in most parts of the world, poetry is valued more than what it is in the United States,” Stokes said. “It is esteemed as one of the highest art forms.”
The MSU Center for Poetry was established in September 2007 and since has started writing workshops, poetry readings and a few poetry slam sessions. The poetry festival is the center’s third spring event hosted during National Poetry Month, which is observed in April.
Through the use of elaborate style and wording, Stokes said the actions of writing and listening to poetry are able to surface deep emotion during a period of time in life — no matter what century or subject the poem is written about — from the past or present.
“In a way, (poetry) is like photography and its attempt to capture a tiny slice of existence of what it is to be a human being,” Stokes said.
Anita Skeen, director of the center, said the volunteer staff and students are free to put on any event they imagine as long as the activity can spread the art of speaking and writing to those who do not find the art form appealing.
“We’re always looking for people who want to be involved with any poetry event and we are looking for students who want to spread poetry throughout the campus,” Skeen said. “Our mission is to bring together the Lansing and East Lansing communities and take (poetry) out of the town and into the campus.”
As a first-year volunteer at the center, Residential College in the Arts and Humanities junior Lauren Kelley said she has since been exposed to the different types of poetry and creative events put on throughout the center’s existence.
“I first started getting interested in poetry in high school with my creative writing class,” Kelley said. “It’s a good form of expression for me at least — I love the imagery about it.”
Before National Poetry Month concludes, the center will host several more readings in addition to National Poem in your Pocket Day and a poetry chalking event April 29. Skeen said both events aim to inform and entertain students throughout the day across campus through messages on campus sidewalks and small, paper poems.
“Students should definitely come out to the event (Tuesday),” Kelley said. “(Come) see another side of campus that (you) haven’t gotten involved with yet.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
