Poetry readings bring together students, community

Local poets can share their latest work with other poetry lovers during University of Houston-Clear Lake’s new poetry series. Students, faculty and local high school students are packing into the university’s Cappuccino Bono coffee shop for an evening of poetry reading. UH-Clear Lake Assistant Professor of Humanities Shreerekha Subramanian started the series because she realized others like her might be inspired.

“I have a love for poetry I want to share with the UH-Clear Lake community.  I am trying to carve out a space on campus that will echo that warm spoken-word poetry scene I have so enjoyed in various other cities in my past,” explained Subramanian.

With guidance from Professor of Humanities and Fine Arts John Gorman and Associate Professor of Social Work Stephen “Arch” Erich, Subramanian began to plan for the first poetry reading in September 2008, but Hurricane Ike put a stop to the program.

“Through Hurricane Ike, I was witness to the hardy fortitude of Texans who picked up and continued, some suffering more than others, and many joined in efforts to help the entire communities,” said Subramanian. “I decided then to go ahead with our first poetry reading in October and dedicated that reading to the hurricane. People read poems about suffering, surviving and grace. From then on, we boasted a packed house with a full round of readers each month.”

Spring poetry readings are scheduled for March 5, April 7 and May 6 with the gathering starting at 5 p.m. in Cappuccino Bono in the UH-Clear Lake Student Services and Classroom Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston. Participants in the poetry reading range from novice poets to those who have enjoyed poetry for decades. Both readers and listeners from the community are encouraged to attend. Guest parking is available for a small fee.

For more information on the poetry readings, call 281-283-3430 or e-mail subramanian@uhcl.edu.