POETRY IS ALIVE!
by Aubrey Amila
John Keating said in the film The Dead Poets Society, “…medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” But what if these poets and artists do not know where to go to spotlight their own creative works? Can they lead themselves to the right audience in order to gain confidence and flourish?
The answer is yes.
To celebrate April, also famously known as “Poetry Month,” Old Capitol Books hosted the 2024 Monterey Poetry Festival on April 12–13. On Friday 6PM, the opening night, Daniel Summerhill, Chris Siders, and Alex Ramirez performed their original pieces at the sold out venue. In what felt like a small room was filled with snaps and claps and a heart-felt appreciation of vulnerability that comes with reciting poetry.
First off to perform is Daniel Summerhill (picture on the left), a former California State University of Monterey Bay (CSUMB) professor and Monterey County Poet Laureate. Prior to moving to work in Santa Clara, Summerhill used to host a lot of open mics and workshops in the Monterey County area, but now is currently taking a hiatus in hosting to focus on taking care of his family. He stated, “However, because I am a visionary in the sense that my mind is always spinning, I’ll likely host an open mic here in Santa Clara at some point in the near future. In terms of workshops, I am always down to host them when folks reach out.”
Second in line, Chris Siders (the center picture) takes the stage. He graduated from CSUMB in May of 2016 as a Humanities and Communications major with a concentration on Creative Writing and Social Action. Taking HCOM as a major, he shared, “… helped me acquire a better sense of emotional intelligence– a concept that is not being taught in grade school that is essential to our growth as human beings.” As an accomplished poet and artist who once experienced homelessness in Monterey, he got an opportunity to open up with his favorite rappers, Westside Boogie, overseas in Zurich, Switzerland earlier this year. In addition, he is working on a hip-hop musical called “Silhouettes of Scarlet: A Hip-Hop Musical” showing at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood, California on June 8, 2024. The show is about black mental health exploring the seven stages of grief and how it coincides with the seven deadly sins. It is based on his personal story of how he lost his father last year and the enmeshing that was lost with an abusive relationship.
When asked if Chris Siders have any advice he wants to give to aspiring poets, writers, and artists who might want to someday publish their work out there, this was his advice:
“Follow your heart. Protect your heart. As a community leader from CSUMB once told me, Patterson Emesibe, it’s only a cliché because it’s true. When creating your work you must go with what feels right and not what gives temporary external value like snaps, cheers etc. The fans or supporters you obtain are going to be from people in the back too scared to approach you. It’s nothing in regards to intimidation, as to why people may not approach you, they are stuck assembling the emotions and piecing together what story is being told on stage. You are always touching someone’s heart being you. You don’t have to be anyone else but you. Live in abundance. Everything you ever want and need is at your fingertips. It just takes a bit of research or work. Explore your network. Someone may know someone who knows how to copy-edit for your manuscript. Someone may know the steps to create a manuscript. Also let’s say someone in your network may not know how to put together a manuscript, be okay with failing. Give it a shot yourself. My first book I self-published through Amazon and sold out the first couple batches. It was full of errors that prepared me for future books I would create. I don’t regret it whatsoever. I’m doing something I love and no one can take that from me. Even a well-known artist expressed to me that I wouldn’t make money as a poet with the style I have; however, I am still touring with my voice and that’s the greatest feeling.”
You are always touching someone’s heart being you. You don’t have to be anyone else but you. Live in abundance.
Although it can be generally overwhelming to perform in front of a large audience, at CSUMB, there are a variety of avenues to share creative works. These avenues include student lead publications The Lutrinae and In the Ords Literary Arts Journal. Not only that, CSUMB has clubs that host open mics in which everyone is encouraged to share an original poem or sing a song of their choice.
Publishing one’s own work for the public to see gives the writer credibility, a useful tool for resumé and future job applications. Two prominent student associations within CSUMB that are currently active are In the Ords and The Lutrinae.
In The Ords Literary Arts Journal has been around serving students and publishing creative works for more than 7 years. With the fresh batches of officers, they have decided to switch things up. As opposed to the paperback print of their publication, they are aiming to share hardback copies around campus where instead of only publishing 30+ submitted works of students using paperback, there will be 60+ works within the Fall and Spring semesters. In addition to the hardback copies, they are also extending their submissions to alumni and faculty.
This Spring semester of 2024, The Lutrinae’s chief editor, Andrea Valadez, agreed to incorporate poetry into the school newspaper. Jose Guzman is the third-year student who suggested this idea because he thinks that, “… it’s pretty important, partly just the idea of being able to share one’s own gift to other people and it’s impactful.” He also shared a site in which students are able to subscribe to The Lutrinae newspaper in their email and be able to submit more creative content like illustrations, short stories, poetry, and more.
If poetry keeps you breathing and if expressing yourself keeps you alive, then yes, Poetry is indeed alive. Like Chris Siders’ first two sentences within his advice: “Follow Your Heart. Protect Your Heart.” Share your works out loud. Publish them for the public to see. The right people, your tribe, will find you. And when they do, they’ll be proud of you.
