'Marathon' poetry reading: Pond-side readings celebrate poet Theodore Roethke
Warm weather, a shining sun and blue skies - the poetry gods are obviously fans of Theodore Roethke.
A small group of English language and literature professor Robert Fanning's advanced poetry class gathered outside the Charles V. Park Library to participate in a marathon reading of Roethke's poetry, all part of a series of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of Roethke's birth.
Roethke, a Saginaw native and graduate of the University of Michigan, was a two-time winner of the National Book Award and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book "The Walking."
The small group took turns reading poetry, eating muffins, drinking coffee and giving out snaps as passersby occasionally partook in the proceedings.
Harbor Beach junior Steven Roggenbuck said he attended to celebrate Roethke's contributions to literature.
"He's got a lot variety, writes a lot of passive descriptions of nature, also a lot of goofy stuff," he said. "His work with sound is very enjoyable."
Other Roethke works include "Party at the Zoo," "Praise to the End!," "Sequence" and "Sometimes Metaphysica." Roethke died of a heart attack in Bainbridge Island, Wash., at 55.
Fanning said there was a panel discussion Tuesday with English faculty, and Fanning hosted a poetry workshop Wednesday.
Fanning said the warm weather made for perfect conditions to read Roethke's poetry outside.
"He's a poet who delighted in language, natural imagery - perfect to read outside on a spring day," he said.
Fanning described Roethke as a poet who pulled his poetry from the remembrances of his youth. Fanning said that is a tool he teaches his poetry students.
Even though Roethke eventually settled in the Northwest, Fanning takes pride in the Pulitzer Prize winner's Michigan roots.
"The fact that he's a Michigan poet is really inspiring," Fanning said. "We like to celebrate our own."
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