By Alanna Escoto Reyes
Wit and Whimsy has done it again, folks! Though the stage might look daunting for some, the poetry club has created a safe space for anybody who wants to share their work, bringing together poets scattered across different departments at Bishop’s. Wit and Whimsy co-leads, Jillian French and Samiya Bouziane Merceron, opened the doors to Bandeen Hall on October 22nd to host their fi rst open-mic of the season. A night of music and verses, familiar and unfamiliar faces, as well as laughs and some stage-fright jitters was the perfect way to unwind during midterm season.
Photo courtesy of Jillian French
Open mics have become a staple event of the poetry club on campus. With a mix of original pieces and general Tumblr favorites, the poems ranged from contemplations on autumn leaves, new perspectives on the safety love offers, and hopeful arguments on why chickens should have plot armour. After the initial line up of club members went up, the mic was open for anybody who felt inspired to share. Audience member and alumna, Ann Oxford, said, “I think every time that I come to one of these, the open mic part at the end gets longer… which is re- ally exciting to see.” The open nature of the event welcomes a new wave of stu- dents every year, fostering and building a community of poet enthusiasts.
One of the highlights of the night, at least for me, was the reading of “What I Am Telling You, Jessica, Is That Those Chickens Are Fine” by K.T. Landon. While the current state of the world can make us feel bleak and disconnected, this poem offers a little hope in the form of chickens. It’s events like the open mic that bring that hope into real life by reviving the core of the human experi- ence: sharing thoughts to open minds, creating community, meeting in a hall, and reading words that mean something to us. As poetry club member, Tallula Russel, commented, “I love how the open mic allows for people who aren’t in the club to share their work and in the community of poetry. We all get to grow our appreciation of the art form and our connections with each other through that love.”
Poetry can turn the ordinary into some- thing profound, chickens into symbols for hope, a random Tuesday into a community where you can be you. Don’t hesitate to stop by Morris House Tuesdays at 7pm and join the poetry club for a chat!
