HomeNEWS"Rosebuddies" Write and Read Original Poetry

“Rosebuddies” Write and Read Original Poetry

By SERIAH SARGENTON
Staff Writer

Spoken word took over students in a Poetry and Performance English class taught by Daniel Nester, an associate professor of English at the College.

On April 4 in the Events and Athletics Center, Rosebuddies read original poems about their dreams, aspirations, love interests and hatred. The moniker Rosebuddies stems from the nickname Rosebud, which used to be a way to refer to a student who attends or attended Saint Rose.

This event helped to provide a space for readers to develop in theory and practice the skills of reading aloud to present informed sharing of literary selections, increase understanding of literary works, and provide enjoyment to reader and audience.

“I probably would’ve never done this if it wasn’t for this,” said Vanessa Couse, a childhood education major with a concentration in English.

Couse read an original open letter addressed to people who need to check their fuel tanks. She said that her father owns a propane and oil company in Ballston Spa and that she doesn’t like when her father travels late to fill up people’s tanks with fuel because she felt like they should just check it themselves.

She has never done spoken word prior to taking this class, but the class has benefited her in many ways. She has learned about poets such as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, Billy Collins, and Sharon Olds as well as read their work. In addition, she has been able to use her own poetry to express her emotions.

“Poetry is the most important form of self-expression,” said Nester.

Nester explained how though the class is referred to as the “fun class,” students work hard on their pieces. Students continue to make revisions on their pieces until it reaches perfection, even after performing.

Students go through “The Oxford Book of American Poetry” and select a poem that speaks to them. Students have been practicing writing original poetry to be read in front of an audience since the beginning of the semester. They also had to record themselves reciting the poem for submission and perform it in class or in public.

The class will perform their original poems again at the Hudson River Coffee House on April 27 at 7 p.m. as part of their final.

“Learning to bring written word to people’s ears is one of the highest callings a poet can have,” said Nester.

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