Introducing Matthew Olzmann and Vievee Francis as part of The Working Writers Series
In an unexpected turn of events, a tour group of prospective students had an accident on the Dinand Library stairs during a campus tour, overshadowing the first Working Writers Series event of the spring semester.
The event, hosted on September 19, 2022, saw Matthew Olzmann and Vievee Francis, poets and professors at Dartmouth College, share their powerful works. Olzmann read a new poem titled "Tiger Beetle" that is not featured in his latest book "Constellation Route." The poem delves into racing thoughts and the speed of life.
On the other hand, Francis read her poem "Break Me and I'll Sing" from her book "The Shared World." This powerful piece is a testament to the overcoming of abuse and mistreatment. Another impactful poem by Francis, "A Call to Arms," uses the examples of fatherless children and internalized misogyny to show signs of a crumbling society. The poem depicts violence as quiet and requiring careful attention.
Oliver de la Paz, a current professor at the College of the Holy Cross, was also a focus of the event. His poetry is characterised by themes of rage, trauma, and the overcoming of abuse.
The Poetry Walk at Dinand Library, a mile-long loop around campus, is distinguished by over a certain number of points. The tour guide, unfortunately, was involved in the accident. Witnesses report the chaotic descent down the library stairs that followed the incident.
The accident is expected to be recorded in campus history and hospital records. Despite the unfortunate incident, the event served as a poignant reminder of the power of poetry and the messages it carries. The poems read by Olzmann and Francis added a deeper level of meaning to their messages, resonating with the audience even in the midst of the chaos.
