Spring Break
Double reading impresses writing students
Issue date: 11/15/07
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Scafaldi jaunted up to the stage, clearly comfortable in this environment. His grey tweed blazer's collar was a bit untucked, which was fitting for his general demeanor, which was one of familiarity and relaxed confidence.
Scafidi gave some general background about himself, saying that he was glad to be somewhere where they "take [him] seriously."
He presented his poems with an enthusiasm that really made them seem personal, not only as his own works, but easy for the listener to relate to as well. He prefaced one poem by assuring the audience that is was all true, this poem called "To whoever set my truck on fire," then launching seamlessly and hilariously into the opening line.
Later, Scafidi presented a series of poems about Abraham Lincoln with a certain "poetic license." Lincoln, for example, was portrayed as a member of the circus, among other things. Scafidi explained that his intent was to show Lincoln as a man who suffered many losses throughout his lifetime, not a mythical figure.
The crowd ate up Scafidi's casual style, loving his rhythm and jokes, but also appreciating his subtler or more serious poems. After his final poem, the crowd barely waited for Scafidi to finish his final word before applauding enthusiastically.
The writers, while vastly different in their style, both brought interesting and moving pieces to the stage. The reading of writers sponsored by the Writing Seminars department remain one of the most under-appreciated gems available to Hopkins students.
Scafidi gave some general background about himself, saying that he was glad to be somewhere where they "take [him] seriously."
He presented his poems with an enthusiasm that really made them seem personal, not only as his own works, but easy for the listener to relate to as well. He prefaced one poem by assuring the audience that is was all true, this poem called "To whoever set my truck on fire," then launching seamlessly and hilariously into the opening line.
Later, Scafidi presented a series of poems about Abraham Lincoln with a certain "poetic license." Lincoln, for example, was portrayed as a member of the circus, among other things. Scafidi explained that his intent was to show Lincoln as a man who suffered many losses throughout his lifetime, not a mythical figure.
The crowd ate up Scafidi's casual style, loving his rhythm and jokes, but also appreciating his subtler or more serious poems. After his final poem, the crowd barely waited for Scafidi to finish his final word before applauding enthusiastically.
The writers, while vastly different in their style, both brought interesting and moving pieces to the stage. The reading of writers sponsored by the Writing Seminars department remain one of the most under-appreciated gems available to Hopkins students.
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