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Students react to a video conference with poet laureate Philip Levine during the creative writing class at Southwest High School in El Centro on Friday. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / May 5, 2012) |
Two Imperial Valley high schools were among 14 sites nationwide that engaged Port Laureate Philip Levine in a discussion about the creative process and poetry in particular.
The feedback was part of a video conference Southwest High and Brawley Union High schools took part in as Levine fielded prepared questions that touched on varied topics such as what inspired him during his youth to what his feelings are about how poetry is regarded by today’s generation.
Levine is the Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe from Detroit who taught for more than 30 years at California State University Fresno and had been tapped to be Poet Laureate of the United States from 2011 to 2012.
When asked if whether it is necessary to read poetry aloud in order to appreciate it, Levine explained that while it isn’t he still likes to “taste the language of the poems and see how they feel in (his) mouth.”
“I perform poetry in the theater of my head,” Levine said.
Patricia Quijada, who chairs SWHS’ English department, said that the 16 students who appeared for the noon session were a part of the school’s only section for creative writing.
“This is the first opportunity we’ve had to do this, yes,” Quijada said.
Asked if another video conference session with a celebrated literary figure would be arranged Quijada said: “If it’s offered again I’m sure we’ll have it.”
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
The feedback was part of a video conference Southwest High and Brawley Union High schools took part in as Levine fielded prepared questions that touched on varied topics such as what inspired him during his youth to what his feelings are about how poetry is regarded by today’s generation.
Levine is the Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe from Detroit who taught for more than 30 years at California State University Fresno and had been tapped to be Poet Laureate of the United States from 2011 to 2012.
When asked if whether it is necessary to read poetry aloud in order to appreciate it, Levine explained that while it isn’t he still likes to “taste the language of the poems and see how they feel in (his) mouth.”
“I perform poetry in the theater of my head,” Levine said.
Patricia Quijada, who chairs SWHS’ English department, said that the 16 students who appeared for the noon session were a part of the school’s only section for creative writing.
“This is the first opportunity we’ve had to do this, yes,” Quijada said.
Asked if another video conference session with a celebrated literary figure would be arranged Quijada said: “If it’s offered again I’m sure we’ll have it.”
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
