Corey

     I really enjoyed my time at the Lit Fest and my time spent back in Athens with some new friends that I have found. I always enjoy the opportunity to go back to Athens, whatever the occasion may be, because it is always guaranteed that it will be interesting; there haven't really been any trips to Athens where you can go back home with the absence of a new story to tell. This was one of the first times that a trip to Athens has had me come back feeling better than before I went, a feeling that is often majestic in its occurrence due to the implications of the adventure.

     Previously, I never had much interest in poetry, contemporary poetry at least; I didn't respect the lack of rhyme. I always felt more enamored towards songwriters, those who had something of substance to say and could say it in a way that people of all sorts could enjoy. However, hearing poems from Dean Young and just a few from Bonnie Jo Campbell made me write some of my own while in Athens, and I realized that when you don't force yourself to rhyme every line with another, you are freed up to create more effective imagery. So here is a slightly altered version of one of the few I wrote at Lit Fest, intended to be humorous for those who were there to understand but possibly social commentary for those who were not.

"Walking on the grassy coffins" *

Thank you for the invitation.
I felt rude walking on the grassy coffins of the deceased patients.
But if I was numbered, not named, they'd do the same.
Just to say they've been there.

I enjoyed my stay in a room with a champagne bucket,
filled with things less impressive than intended.
Call it a cultural thing.
"I doubt real champagne exists in Athens anyways",
Says a man in a black turtleneck.
Using magical eyebrows for emphasis.

The main events, critically acclaimed.
(Meaning they didn't sell).
Inspired me to write a poem.
So they were effective, nonetheless.

Their poems took me away from Shel Silverstein.
One of the only poets I enjoyed before.
Though the list still seems thin.
I now have added two more.

And all I can say is thank you.




*picture added by Hayley