Poetry Night on Women's Campus

Poetry Night
Wednesday 30 April 2008

‘Bliss it was, in that dawn, to be alive,
But to be young was very Heaven.’
Wordsworth

Starting with the thought that ‘writing is life’, demystifying perceived barriers to effective production; encouraging students to tap into life’s experiences and imagination to respond to prompts and writing tasks; Razak opened the first ‘Poetry Night’ in the Writing Centre on Maqam Campus, our students showing their prowess at poetry.

Mary Donnenworth got things moving with a poetry writing game with teams given a set of words and a few minutes to come up with a poem, which they did. The appreciative audience judged by applauding and winners received prizes.

Next, several poets read out their poems to the crowd, again to mass applause and appreciation. Prizes were presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places and then activities recommenced.

This time, Basila Jello recited a line from a poem, the ending being the starting point for the next line – called a "Musajaala". Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this activity and teachers and students recited together as well known lines were remembered.

Earlier, in the Writing Centre on Men’s, a similar event took place and prizes were also given and poems read aloud. One student staggered everyone by reciting his long poem without needing to look at it on paper. It sounded almost like the ‘lyrics’ from a rap. The twist at the end brought loud cheers. You’ll have to read it yourself to find out what it was. Poetry affects us all, but the young most of all. As one teacher said, “I saw our students in a totally new light tonight.”
Robert L. Fielding